Original artwork by Melinda Jensen |
Only one thing seems certain. Emotions
are high. We all tend to become further entrenched in our positions
during times of high stress, desperate to either flee or fight. Fear
becomes our sole motivation. Yet, at times of great turmoil it's both
far more important and far more difficult to hold tight to God and
follow His lead.
I have heard many stories of woe and
heartache during the past year, clothed in robes of bitterness,
anger, sorrow and fear. People are turning on each other, unashamedly
claiming to not care about what happens to others beyond their
shores, or even their own neighbourhoods. I was shocked to learn that
some of my overseas friends feel this way about Australia, and
therefore me and mine. Disturbingly, I have heard the harshest
judgements from fellow Christians who seem to feel more than
justified in turning away the needy and allowing the less fortunate
to go hungry and homeless. I can only wonder at how much this grieves
the Father's heart.
Enchanted by (or is it morbidly
fascinated with) Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' since I was a
child, I find myself ruminating about its metaphors and wondering if
the world is currently 'stuck', like the bah-humbug Ebenezer Scrooge
before he meets the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
How would most of us fare if visited by
the Ghost of Christmas Past, the first eerie visitor to Scrooge's
miserly hearth right before Christmas?
This angelic spirit, as I prefer to
think of it, shows Scrooge scenes from his past that occurred around
Christmas-time, to demonstrate the necessity of changing his ways, as
well as to show the reader how Scrooge came to be so bitter and
cold-hearted. The lesson here, of course, is that none of us are born
this way. Life is often cruel, just as it was for the young Ebenezer,
who grew up, devoid of real love in a miserable boarding school,
abandoned by his father.
As the years went by, he faced many
hardships of the kind almost bound to break his heart and alienate
him from his fellow human beings. And yet, life is not all about
circumstance.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Stuart Miles |
As I've entered my fifties I've realized that very few
people live a charmed life, and most of us have stories of
heartache that helped shape who we are. When I look around me I see
those who have grown through these experiences into more
compassionate and aware human beings; and of course, I see those
who've hardened their hearts, determined to look out for number one
and only number one.
There is always the element of choice.
The ghost of Christmas past doesn't linger on a sense of blame,
despite relentlessly bringing painful scenes before the hapless
Scrooge. Instead, he largely allows Scrooge to relive the painful
memories he's so successfully snuffed out over the years. Without
bringing those memories to the fore, none of us can hope to
understand why we are the way we are; nor are we able to effect
personal change and lay to rest any attitudes of resentment, fear and
bitterness, the very attributes that are running rampant on today's
world stage.
As Christians, we don't need to believe
in, or encounter, ghosts. We have our very own, accessible and
willing, supernatural God, ready to lead us gently on a tour of our
painful pasts and re-establish His heart within us. That heart knows
no bounds when it comes to compassion, empathy, generosity, kindness
and acceptance. It is tireless in taking in the world's orphans and
widows, the wounded and homeless, the desperate and starving, the
lonely and heartbroken. He gives no heed to the colour of our skin or
what part of the world we come from, but he does care what he
finds deep in our hearts. Let's not disappoint Him in the coming
year. Let's pray for a world-wide epiphany, a global 'Ebenezer
Scrooge aha! Moment.'
by Melinda Jensen
Melinda follows Jesus as closely as she can, learning every day. Passionate about social justice, equality, the environment and mostly, discerning and activating her purpose according to who she is in Christ. She has had a humble number of short stories and poems published, in print and on the web; and is working on a couple of short stories for young people. She kids herself she might one day be able to do her own illustrations.
Thanks Melinda,
ReplyDeleteI found that very challenging, and most appropriate for this week. You're quite right, we can let God do the same work in our hearts which was the role of the ghosts in A Christmas Carol. I love the analogy.
I think a lot of us find it challenging for many different reasons. My biggest downfall is in finding compassion for those who can't find compassion for the less fortunate. I struggle with how to deal with them...just another lesson in my life. :) Thank you for sharing your feedback.
DeleteThanks, Melinda. There is truth in your words. Hurt people, hurt people. It's a simple fact. May the Lord open all our eyes to see where we are lacking in love and bring his healing.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for taking the time to read my words and to add your heartfelt prayer for global healing.
DeleteThanks Melinda - beautifully expressed. When we experience God's great love for us - that He knows us by name & loves us specifically - and realise that His love extends to every individual that ever lived - how can we be a Scrooge when it comes to the sufferings of others?
ReplyDeleteBTW love your artwork & I can see your dream of illustrating your stories becoming a reality :)
Honestly, without God's love, patience, and the work He's done in my life, who knows how materialistic and mean-spirited I might have become? It really is the greatest gift one can have.
DeleteAnd thanks so much for your encouragement of my dreams!!! Glowing here. :)
Thank you, Melinda, for this great reminder to look into hour hearts at this time of the year in particular and allow God to mould our responses to life's challenges.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to express it - to allow God to mould our responses to life's challenges. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback.
DeleteThanks Melinda, I just recently reposted a video showing shocking footage from Aleppo. It's hard to ignore, and then if we allow our imagination to follow through, these broken hurting and now homeless people will be added to the already huge numbers of refugees seeking a place to be safe. The challenge is before all Christians. We have to look out side ourselves. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your thoughts also, Meredith. I'm going to have a look at your video, knowing I will find it distressing but we simply cannot turn away from the truth. I was quite upset this week to find that one of my extended family members posted a video on facebook claiming that what is happening in Aleppo is just a hoax. I can't wrap my head around that and have struggled with how to respond. A blessed Christmas to you and yours.
DeleteAnd to all my beautiful friends in Christian Writers Downunder, whether or not I have met you in person, you have added richly to my life this year. For all your encouragement, challenges and hearty laughs, I thank you. And may you all have a safe, peaceful and very blessed Christmas!!! xo
ReplyDelete