A temporary life with a reason

As I reflected on the week of readings the connecting of these two concepts provided some understanding for me as to how I need to live my life: Temporary and with Reason.  We need to be sure that we do not have such a hold on life as we experience it here on earth that we want to remain here at all costs.  We also must ensure that, to as much as it depends on us, we live with reason and purpose.  The two actually go together.  I am on temporary assignment here on earth; I am just passing through.  And as long as I am here God has a reason for me being here - it is to give glory to God by serving God in the offering of all that I have to his gospel cause.  I have been pondering these questions this week:

• Am I loving other believers?
• Am I becoming like Christ?
• Am I serving others with my gifts?
• Am I telling others about Christ?

 We are nearing the end of the first week of our 40 day journey at GWAC.  I have been both encouraged and challenged in my own walk with Jesus.  Life goes on around the pleasant times of prayer, Bible study and reading the devotion book.  I have found great enjoyment in reading the specific bible verses referred to by Rick Warren and I know I have encountered some new "points of note".

The recent strong opposition to the Christian churches involvement in Christian Religious instruct at state schooles as well as our influential role in school chaplaincy has angered some people.  We should not be amazed but we do need to get on our knees before God concerning this matter.  Maybe at some point in the future we will not have the opportunity that we do have now - but that is something to be concerned about THEN.  As for NOW, let us work hard in prayer and advocacy so that we can make a positive contribution to the lives of many in our schools.  In the last 24 hours, the CEO of Access Ministries has been bitterly criticised because of her encouragement to the christian church to love as Jesus loves and to seek to bring about positive change in the school communities.  The reality is that secular, humanist, atheist and spiritualist teachers are influencing our young people all the time.  It's called TEACHING.  Any one who thinks they are not bringing an influence upon the children in their care is naive.  The question really should be - "Is it appropriate?"  We live in a country where the vast majority of adults profess belief in the God of the Bible and are happy to so so on the official census each five years.  In our state schools, parents have the option of opting out if they want their children to be excluded.  Those who do not take up this option know that what their children will receive is teaching from the Christian Bible about love, peace and reconciliation with God and others. 

At the heart of the criticism that is currently being flung against the CRE program and ACCESS ministries in particular is opposition to the very freedom that makes this country what it is.  There is contained within the education guidelines in Victoria, restriction from proselytising, that is activity aimed at converting a person to another religion.  Some have said that CRE should be stopped because it in fact is a form of evangelism.  Technically, such a claim is correct about CRE being evangelistic.  Evangelism is the announcement of goodnews.  The news of God's love contained in the Christian bible and in the gospels in particular is good - in fact it is great.  It is what makes it so appealing and compelling.  Education is all about giving people information and encouraging learning so that lives are the better for it.

CRE is Christian Religious Education - and the volunteers seek to live their life on temporary assignment teaching children about the God of the Bible, His love for them and his invitation for them to get to know Him.  To TEACH the Bible is to teach about God's love and God's message of salvation.  If this is NOT taught it infact would not be CRE because the Bible is very clear about the message of God's love and the offer of salvation.  Some people may not like this - but it is consistent with what the majority who filled in the census five years ago, hold to.  Now is the time, now is the window of opportunity.  Life as we experience it now is temporary, so lets make the most of it; lets live it on purpose, with reason and resolve.