As we enter November many of you will have noticed that many stores have already had Christmas paraphernalia on the shelves since late September. Talk about being ready!
During this month the focus will be on Scripture readings that speak to us about the qualities of good leaders, keeping faith, being mindful of the choices we make and aware of how God desires for us to live. These are timeless themes for all of us to consider in the complexity of 21st century life.
We live in a consumerist society with voices clamoring at every turn to buy this or that in order to be happy, fulfilled and ‘cool’. So who are the leaders to whom we listen? How do their lives stand as worthwhile role models?
We live in a society that bombards us with competing values. For example – it’s ‘my way or the highway’ and ‘you are the most important person’ and ‘we were here before you’ and ‘we are being taken over by ‘them’. All this and more in the face of a Christian faith that calls for justice, compassion and generosity.
We are faced with an overabundance of choices that can cause confusion, frustration and promotes greed. Our faith lives are a series of choices too. So what will you choose? How will you make choices that are life-giving and considerate of others?
With all this complexity and so much more, there can be confusion about what it means to be a compassionate and respectful community of people.
We are called to draw close to God and closer to one another. The choice is ours. Our actions and response to those who are at times the most vulnerable are important. This month …
- help another person anonymously;
- do at least one thing per week that will nurture your faith;
- start each day by naming one choice you will make to reflect God’s love in the world; finish each day by naming examples of ‘good news’ you see around you or in the news of the day.
Practice kindness. Practice gratitude. Be self-nurturing. Be mindful. Praise God. Pray for yourself and others.
Rev Angie