Have you ever felt like you didn't fit in, or you felt anxious, insecure or hurt? Back in 1995 Daniel Goleman popularised the idea of "Emotional Intelligence" (EQ), which is about being able to identify, manage and express one's emotions in the world around them. Jesus popularised the idea of loving God with your whole heart, well before books on EQ became common knowledge.
I've taken the time to pack into this article, "10 Big Issues" in the world today (in no particular order). They're not the only issues, that's granted. I wonder, what issues concern you the most?
1. Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Chinese foreign policy is to play the long game; a game of soft-power, wooing small island nations into partnering with Beijing. Take for instance China strengthening their security ties with the Solomon Islands. You also hear of the aggression from the Chinese military. Following the inauguration of the new pro-democracy Taiwanese President, Lai Ching-te, the Chinese have been flexing their muscles, intimidating Taiwan. Combined with the rhetoric from former President Donald Trump, that he may not defend Taiwan if the Chinese were to attack, you end up with a fragile region. Even Australia, who is a middle power, geopolitically, continually seeks to strengthen its ties with its allies (AUKUS for instance). While the Chinese friends I have seek peace, some of signs from the CCP in recent times are cause for concern.
2. The destabilisation of democracy in the United States. Historically, many would point to the lead up to the 2016 Presidential Election, when Hillary Clinton went up against Donald Trump, as a moment when the United States become further fractured and divided. There have been other moments, of course, including the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. One might consider the abortion debate as well, as the far right and the far left dug their heels in and fought for their respective positions in the Roe V Wade debate. Democracy is fragile in the U.S. The flow-on effect is big: a declining economy, declining influence globally, fractured militaristic ties, ever-growing migration issues, and the list goes on. When will the United States of America actually be united?
3. The increasing divide between right and left ideologies. I can't cite the research, but anecdotally it feels that the left and the right are becoming more militant in their views. There seems to be less unity than there used to be. While we disagreed over many issues in the past, at least we used to be able to sit around a table and disagree politely. Social media has a lot to answer for, in its hyped-up, fake environments, where we all consume news and entertainment based on algorithms that put us in an ideological box. What would our culture be like, if we just took a chill-pill and sought after unity and peace, rather than anger, judgmentalism and arrogant finger-pointing, and cheap jokes at other people's expense?
4. The prospect of war in the Middle East. Since October 7th, 2023 (and arguably well before that), there has been increasing tension in the Middle East. Israel vs Hamas. Israel vs Hezbollah. Iran's nuclear ambitions. The fight of Sunnis vs Shiites. Recently we've witnessed it escalate, and no matter how many United Nations Security Council Resolutions get passed down, and no matter what the International Court of Justice seeks to impose, the threat of war is real. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia has been calling Australians in Lebanon to come home while they can. God help us.
5. Growing income inequality around the world. The phrase is true: The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. I can't wait until trickle-down economics actually occurs; I wouldn't mind a little more in my pocket. Unfortunately, the "invisible hand", as Adam Smith would call it, doesn't always provide a free-market economy that helps every individual flourish. Governments enact economic policy so, to the best of their ability, there is "efficiency, fairness, and sustainability" embedded in the system (See Jeffrey Sachs' "The Price of Civilization"). I still can't stomach CEOs earning squillions of dollars, while their employees are just scrapping by on minimum wage.
6. The fight for gender equality amid a stubborn culture of patriarchy. The Andrew Tate's of the world seem to get a following, for some unknown reason that boggles my mind. I'm a believer that men and women should be getting paid the same for the same work they do. Women should have the same opportunities men have to work in differing industries, and the same opportunities to be appointed to leadership positions around the board room. Some cultures are behind the eight-ball in this area. Afghanistan has gone back to the dark ages, since the United States pulled their troops out of Kabul. Girls aren't even allowed to go to school! Goal 5 of 17 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals aims to, "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls."
7. The rise of Artificial Intelligence. This rapid rise of new technology could see the biggest shift in the job economy the world has ever seen, at least since the Industrial Revolution. I see a few big issues with AI. Firstly, there will be ever-increasing judicial issues related to regulating the use of AI. I heard stories recently in Australia of school boys using AI to change photos of women and girls to create explicitly pornographic content. Secondly, authenticating a piece of art/music/writing, etc and knowing whether something was actually created by someone (and whether they will be remunerated accordingly). Thirdly, the loss of many, many jobs, that once seemed to have ongoing job security (driverless cars, APPs that take minutes in meetings, automated shopping purchases, etc).
8. The rise of populism and a move away from centre-led political parties. We've seen this move away from the centre in the French elections. When Emmanuel Macron, who is a centrist called a snap election, we saw the rise of the far-right National Rally party, that almost swept into power. We've seen it in American politics, with the rise of Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, but popular among many in the States. Populism is defined as a political ideology that, "positions the people as a morally just, good group in society, in contrast with other people who are elitist and out of touch with society." The concern with the rise of populism is the destabilising of democracy across the globe, causing divisiveness, anger and disunity. The populist leader uses powerful rhetoric to sow division and thus create a following. It's less about policy and more about personality.
9. Russia's fight for Eastern Europe. We don't hear enough about Russia's invasion on Ukraine anymore. It's like it's not as interesting as it used to be. The Russian government are probably happy about that. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced. Family units have been torn apart. The Ukrainians have been fighting to hold their land and live in peace. And we all know that the Russian government won't stop if they win in Ukraine. They'll keep coming. Vladamir Putin has a legacy he wants to create. He won't stop until he's got the whole USSR back together again. And for us, outside of Russia and Ukraine, we work to welcome refugees, and deal with inflationary pressures due to fragile supply chains. We hope for peace, but all we can see is war.
10. A rising fundamentalist brand of Christianity. Followers of Jesus are called to live out the values of God's kingdom. We might define them as the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Let's be honest, some of us are having trouble living out those fruits, as we look at the big issues in the world today. Some of us are becoming angry, impatient, frustrated and a little bit sharp and judgmental. I guess I can see why, but that's not the way of Christ. Even in the days of Jesus, you saw him living courageously within the Father's will, within a culture of the oppressive Roman Empire and an antagonistic Jewish religious cohort. I don't think the rising of a bitter, fundamentalist branch of Christianity is what the Holy Spirit of God is calling us to. We're called to be citizens of heaven, and pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
And that my friends, is the key to these 10 big issues in the world today. We pray that God would be honoured, and that God's beautiful, life giving peace would envelop our world, and that people would know the joy, peace and comfort found through his son, Jesus Christ.
So what's your biggest concern? And what can we do about it?
[There's more to say. Take for instance, environmental degradation, deforestation, divided views on human sexuality and abortion, rigid (even racist) views on first nations' peoples, the rising cost of living, health outcomes in developing countries and more...] Feel free to add your passion to the comments. God bless.
A few years back I hit 150kgs (330 pounds) and I looked at myself in the mirror and said to myself, "I need to make a change." I felt embarrassed, disappointed and frustrated. Why did I not have the self-control or the will power to do something about this?
My parents visited from the other side of Australia, and we sat in a coffee shop sipping extra hot lattes. We spoke about leadership, and namely credibility and authenticity in leadership. It was a beautiful Godly moment where the question came up, "How can I possibly lead others, if I can't even lead myself?" Here I was, in my forties, with tears in my eyes (and not because the latte was weak), knowing I needed to change.
I made some immediate changes. And here's the key (I think), on how to lose weight. Make small changes. Substitute the toast for high fibre cereal. Walk to the shops instead of driving. Eat an apple instead of those incredibly addictive biscuits. Make a small change. Maybe once a week. I chose early on to start drinking sparkling water instead of soft drink. You don't make all these small changes at once, otherwise you can just fall in a heap when you don't succeed.
Another thought on how to lose weight: Get an accountability partner. This might sound crazy to you, but I text my Dad every Monday morning with my weight. Not out of judgment. Not because I have to. But because I need the accountability. I tell you, I get to Friday morning and if I've had a tough week (of eating too much), I feel a bit of fear in me, to get moving and scale back my eating, because Monday morning I'm weighing in. You might have a friend who is healthier than you... Ask them if they can touch base via messenger once a week.
How to lose weight: point number 3. Get back up again. I fail all the time. Every third day, I eat something I shouldn't. Or I sleep in rather than go for a run. If you want to lose weight, just choose to get back up again. Go again. God helping you: stop the slippery slope and start again. No shame. No judgment, just start again.
Though, if I might be so bold, I want to offer a warning/challenge. And I write this not just for pragmatic Salvationists who will read this, but any follower of Jesus who will listen.
But before I get to my main point, I think about the beautiful opportunity we have to live out the gospel through "Word and Deed". We speak about the transformative power of Jesus found through his death and resurrection. And we live lives of compassion and grace to a world that is torn between light and darkness. The mission of reconciling the world back to its creator, is a grand, incredible mission. We seek that lives be transformed by Jesus and whole communities are radically altered because of a new life found in Christ.
What the people of God are doing in these days, is creative and ambitious. I cheer you on. We celebrate the fruitfulness we are beginning to see.
Though, if I might be so bold... I want to share something.
Here we go, are you ready for this?
Do we love the mission more than the God of the mission? Do we spend more time talking about what we do, rather than the Jesus we serve? Do we point people to our new ministries, more than we point them to Christ?
I want to caution us. [And caution myself just as much as you]. We are not called to worship the mission. We are called to worship God, out of whom all mission flows. We do missional things, because the love of Christ compels us.
I wonder whether we are in danger of getting it all a little upside down.
I want to suggest something that is possibly a little provocative. And remember, I don't speak authoritatively on behalf of my denomination or anyone else for that matter.
I think it's easier to share stories of doing things, rather than actually sharing the gospel. I think at times we lack courage to share about Jesus Christ, and so we fill our communication channels with stories of busyness and mission.
And so I wonder whether we are in danger of getting it all a little upside down. To use theological language, our Missiology is informed by our Christology. In all that we do and all that we envisage and all that we pioneer, we must make Jesus central. He is the one who heals the blind. He is the one who raises the dead. He is the one who takes a poor lost soul upon the streets and gives them hope. He is the one who graciously offers salvation to the least of these. Without Christ, we don't have mission.
It's not about us. It's about him.
God, forgive us when we've made it about us, when it all needs to be about Christ. You deserve the glory. You deserve all the praise. Anything we get to partner with you in, is an absolute privilege and we're so thankful.
Jesus, you are Lord. And we put YOU as the focus of all we do and acknowledge you are the reason for our very existence.
Though, there's a warning in all this. We need to stop holding on. Let me write that again: We need to stop holding on. Let me explain:
This Easter I gave the microphone to a 28-year old young man to preach about Jesus on Good Friday. He spoke eloquently about the death of Jesus, the freedom that is found in his name. He spoke of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), and that because of his response to Christ, today he would be in paradise with the Lord.
On Easter Sunday, my oldest daughter, who is 15 years old, joined Major Jo Brookshaw on the stage and helped paint an incredible painting of freedom found in Jesus. She was bubbling inside, because of the thought of being used by God in ministry, to impact many lives.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking: "Okay, what's your point?"
My point is, that as a leader, I made a conscious choice to not hold on. To give the next generation a go. To pass on the baton and have someone younger step up and use their gifts for Jesus.
We need to raise up the next generation. We need to empower, equip and release the next generation to reach people with the powerful, life transformative gospel of Jesus Christ.
But I fear, that some of us are still holding on.
We're holding on to fear of the future.
We're holding on to the 'ways things have been'.
We're holding on to naïve hope that the glory days will come back and it will look like it used to look.
We're holding on in vain that the Army will sound like it used to sound.
We're holding on to the form and not the faith.
We're holding on tightly to the orders and regulations that made the Army what it became.
But, friends, I feel like I'm preaching to someone right now. If there's one thing you and I need to hold on to... If there's one thing that is most important and most critical, to hold on to and not let go of... it's Jesus Christ.
In Jesus we find our way as a people of God. In Jesus we find our purpose, our calling and our mission. The work of God will always look different in the next generation. I mean, we know that right? We don't worship like they did in the 1st Century synagogue in Ephesus. The style of our gatherings don't look like the desert fathers of the 3rd Century. Our service to God doesn't look like Calvin or Luther in the days of the reformation some 500 years ago.
I believe so strongly, that God is raising up a spirit-filled, innovative, holy people once again, who seek to lead people to Jesus, make disciples and reform the very fabric of society that they work in.
So by all means. Hold on...
But make sure it's to Jesus Christ.
If you are bold enough to pray with me... Let's pray:
Dear Jesus,
We want to hold on to you. We want to fix our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith. Nothing else satisfies our soul. No outward expression of faith, can compare to the inward power of your grace and mercy upon our lives. Our hearts are set upon you Lord. Change us. Empower us. Give us wisdom in these days, as we navigate being a Jesus-people in an ever-changing world. We love you Lord, and we pray fill us afresh with the presence of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
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Micah (our surprise fourth child - pictured here), was born with a cleft palate; that is the the roof of his mouth wasn't formed properly. The first few weeks of his life he was in intensive care, and struggling to breathe. The days were long. The tears were flowing. We said, 'Why Lord?' They were not easy days.
This photo was taken a few days after his cleft palate surgery (at 11 months of age). We found a moment in between the pain relief when he was smiling! God has been faithful to us over these months. And we're so thankful for so many who have prayed and believed for God's healing upon Micah.
I'm all for praying for God to do a big miracle. Let me say that here and now. I mean God has done big miracles in the past; parting the red sea, letting a donkey talk, bringing the walls of Jericho down, using Elijah to raise someone from the dead. Jesus did big miracles too. It says in Matthew 8:17, that the ministry of Jesus had fulfilled what was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who said, 'He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.' People wanted to get close to Jesus, because they knew he could do something significant in their life.
I pray for big miracles, but I want to say something. It can be difficult to trust in God when you don't see the fulfilment of a gut-wrenching prayer that you've prayed about for a long period of time. It can be tough to trust in God, when your prayers have seemingly gone unanswered.
My faith has been strengthened in recent days, because of a shift in my thinking. God is at work, and stories of transformation are happening around me. Jesus is transforming lives. The issue I have, is I'm always looking for the big miracle. But God is transforming lives, and I trust that God is at work. This last fortnight, we've seen the Lord opening doors of opportunity for people in our church to serve in unlikely places. We saw one young person commit their life to Christ recently. A member of our church preached for the first time on Sunday. God is good!
So, here's my thought. I think we hold two things in tension. Firstly we should pray for the big miracles. All things are possible in the name of Jesus. So lets pray big and believe big. We should also look closely for where God is at work in the small things. It's a 'both/and' scenario. That is, we don't just look for God at work in the small things, and settle in our minds that God can't and won't do the big thing. But we should also look for God in the small matters and be thankful every day.
So then, how do you trust in God?
You settle in your heart and mind, that Jesus hears your prayers, and that God is with you through the difficult times and the good times. You choose to believe that what Jesus did on the cross, and his resurrection, was so that you could have a relationship with God Almighty. You trust God for the big miracle. And you trust God in the small matters of your life.
As Proverbs 3:5 simply says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.'
God bless you today.
