Do you still think individualism and the freedom to choose is good?

 We live in a world which tells us to do what is right for us, to make life choices on the basis of what makes us happy or works for ourselves. The great irony however is that we can never make our own life choices without it having domino impact on others. In the bible there is no such thing as "a private life" (1 Sam 16:7, Psalm 139:13-14). The living God looks at the heart, and to him our identity, character and inmost being are an open book 24/7. 

Although individualism is as old as Adamic sin itself, the assertion that it is a human right to be so is very much a foundational premise of the 21st century. We live in an individualistic culture, which has been fuelled by materialism. We are somewhat a product of our age that has asserted that what we buy defines us, and that true freedom of choice has brought us into greater liberty. Our supermarket shelves are stacked with multiple brands of the same item. Our online car hypermarkets ask us to prescribe in micro-detail which model, trim, colour,  engine type, charge type, battery type of hybrid we "need". This is at the same time as the government tries to legislate how our previous generational choices (to drive diesel, fly international, package with plastic, eat too much steak, and use our heating) should be paid for by the next generation. 

It begs the question... "do we still see the freedom to chose as an intrinsically good thing ?" 

One of the most revealing conversations of the last 24 -48 hours has been the aftermath of the horrific and incomprehensibly sorrowful events at a Christian school in Nashville. There on Monday children Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, along with three adults Cynthia Peak (61), Katherine Koonce (60), and Mike Hill (61) died.

As it emerged that seven weapons had been legally bought with the right/ freedom to bear arms (and all stashed secretly in the parents house by the 28 year old), some took to twitter and social media to complain that some of us were not using the right preferred personal pronoun to describe the one who committed the act of murder. In the hierarchy of catastrophe, it struck me as an odd priority and perverse perspective. Is this really the greatest issue of the presenting situation ? However, this is the illogical place you get to when you decide that everyone has freedom to define and chose. 

In short, the reality is that all our choices impact others. Mental health when idolised and prioritised to the place of ultimate master (do what only makes you happy) ironically causes much sadness for ourselves and others.  We are the first generation to expect perfect health, happiness and no suffering as a right. Expecting to get everything in life to streamline with my choice reveals how arrogant our age has become. Past generations died young, many in childbirth, and there are some realities which cannot be changed by choice. Many millions in generations past had no expectation of perfect happiness, early retirement, or right to buy property, yet societies worked cooperatively under legal structures which protected. They did so under the basic premise that to live together there needs to be some order. Today we prioritise rights to be unprotected and unrestricted, but so sadly are the ramifications and results on the impact of our society. Just because we have greater life expectancy of course doesn't mean that we'll naturally use that extended time wisely or that society will be better. Just because we treat the world to our elongated presence will not necessarily imply the world will be a better place to live. 

In God's good order however there is protection and rescue. The 10 commandments were given in love to protect society and humanity following the rescue of a loving God. They prioritise our understanding of God, the order of goodness in life under his loving care. They are not merely recommendations or suggestions for life, but boundaries from the makers handbook, in which we are led to enjoy the covenant mercy, forgiveness, grace and salvation of the one whose character they summarise and point to. Romans 8:28-30 outlines the fact that God's rescue has been ordered. Orders are not always bad, and freedom is not always good. Freedom to reject God's way (His defined natural order) never leads anywhere good. 

HE GUIDES THE NATIONS UPON THE EARTH

 As the plane lands at a rainy Heathrow, I can't help but smile. The last 10 days have been anything but monochrome, full of colour, joy and overflowing gratitude. As ACTION country leaders gathered in Cape Town South Africa, both diversity and unity gathered into a radiant rainbow display of what God is doing by his grace in 2023. Now we are scattered again, expectant of greater adventures and fruitfulness in his purposes as we work together for the glory of the only one who is worthy of our lives. Where God is at work in His people, mobilising his people of grace to share the riches of Christ, there is great overflowing and uncontainable blessing. Psalm 67 reminds us of this overflow. 

"The earth has yielded its increase;

God, our God shall bless us.

God shall bless us; 

let all the ends of the earth fear him !"

The "ends of the earth" is of course a figure of speech (unless you belong to the "flat earth society"), but we did in fact get to Cape of Good hope, which is as close as you can probably get to an end place. There we gathered around the sign and were united in him. Each had their glorious story of the extension of God's family as it goes not only throughout existing territories, but also into so many new communities who have previously never heard the name of Jesus. We are a privileged people. On top of that I got to travel with an Evertonian who lives to share the love of Christ, and we proclaimed to people, wildlife and taxi drivers that we do in fact support a "grand ole team" and even when they fail, there is one who never will. Very happy Birthday John, as you celebrate 80 years of God's goodness.  

We live in an age where brokenness abounds, sadness pervades, and yet gospel opportunity is increasing globally. Generations past prayed for the liberty to share His name in places little known by many, and now here we are... not only mobilised there, and seeing friends come into the family of Christ, but also seeing them mobilised to go into further unreached places. I am particularly in awe of how God is reaching millions and subgroups/ communities in Asia, who until very recently would have had no connection with the greatest news on the planet. God is so good. Please pray (1 These 3:12) that His presence, grace and love would continue to overspill, through the global ACTION family. 

Please also pray for us as a strategy group, as we seek to know his leading for this wonderful ongoing season of opportunity.  We are conscious that we have a superbly gifted team, who make much of him and little of themselves. God will always bless those who go in obedience, humility and selflessness. For some the cost has been unimaginable, but for all the blessing has been uncontainable. Much more will be shared, in ACTION WORLDVIEW updates and prayer comms. Do please get in touch if you would like to know more. 

For now the top 10 memories of SouthAfrica.

1. All one in Christ Jesus. A seriously diverse bunch, we enjoy such a deep bond it makes me emotional just thinking about it.

2. Visiting the education and football projects in Worcester Townships. What a bright diamond of God's grace these precious works are. So many lives are being transformed by grace, so many people seeing the beauty which shines so bright in the grime and darkness of our broken world.

 I put my name down as Sub on the board for the under 11's team.

 I'm hoping Mr Mario does not cross me off just because I am not able to attend training on Tuesday. 

Why not pray for each of the names of these precious guys. Pray that they will know Christ and that in him uncountable riches will flood their lives. God knows their situation, and how amazingly their lives are being transformed by grace.

3. The friendly baboon who desired the snack of my walking buddy.

4. The friendly penguin family protecting the nest of their young.

5. Laughter as the team gathered for "sweeping out". After a prolonged and  mighty storm  permeated into two swimming pools... a shallow end (my beautiful little room) and the deep end (dining/ meeting rooms). The fun was immense with mighty Mattheus on "first broom", and Thomas on "chief drain unplugging and coordination". This was thunder and lightening on a scale which surpassed my top storm experience until now (in the Alps). The Valley is God's natural amphitheatre and PA system to amplify and reveal his incomprehensible power. (Note to self: there's a sermon illustration in that somewhere). 

6. The mealtime conversation which overflowed with shared stories of God's goodness. Many times, the story started with tragedy, challenge, persecution or suffering, but in God's plans ...such are used for good, the saving of many lives.

7. New friends where the affinity was so deep, so easy, so soon, we know that partnership in his purposes is just the beginning and the best is yet to come. So many divinely appointed moments of discovery. 

8. Our dear and treasured friend from Asia shouting the praises of God as he competed with the storm in his helpful encouragement from God's word. The final score was storm 7, praise moments 18. 

9. The stunning mountains and scenery declaring the glory of their creator every time I opened the curtains each morning.

 Psalm 121

10. The beautiful people of South Africa, who serve with radiant smiles, open hearts and customer service which makes UK look like it has never been trained in the basics. 

Thank you treasured friends for all your love, kindness and prayers which are so strategic in unfolding fruitfulness. 

P