Tension

Most true Christians live, I believe, with the constant tension of never “doing” enough for God, of never being involved enough, of never reaching out enough.

Some of us removed from the hustle and bustle of life - living in remote areas may ask – what can we “do” ? A mother with small, constantly demanding children will ask what can I “do” ? Feeling that they have never “done” enough plagues even Christians whom we might view as being very “successful”. Yet, such self-condemnation can, in itself, bring a paralysis to our lives.

When God came to earth he spent his adult life working as a joiner. There is no record that he “did” anything during these years apart from being an obedient son, outstanding brother and excellent craftsman. In other words whatever he did – he did to the best of his ability . In whatever position he found himself he gave the best he could.

For many people the fact that Jesus brothers believed in him – is the greatest mark of his divinity. They lived in the same home, ate at the same table, slept in the same room, were involved in the rough and tumble of family life, the arguments the pain the disappointment – and yet believed that he really was the Son of God!

The greatest test of our Christianity is not on a platform or in the light of public involvement – but in the home and in the workplace.

One of my biggest disappointments in life was to discover that so many “Christians” compartmentalised their lives in to Christian and non-Christian activities. Some, whom I knew well, appeared to be model Christians in “Church” and in the company of other Christians but their reputation at work and at home was as people who were the very opposite!

In actual fact such people mislead others and perhaps even themselves in to thinking they are real Christians, when in reality they are, at best ,poor examples of true Christians and at worst complete frauds.

If Christianity is anything it must be lived out in honesty and be as real, effective and important in everyday life, in the family and in the workplace as it is in “church” and in the company of other believers.