From The Revd Dr Irene John
August 2024
Dear Friends,
She walked towards where I was standing, her smile masking her apprehension, she said: Hello, I do not want to cause an offence, but do you mind me asking: where are you from originally? My response was: No, I do not mind you asking. That was the start of a conversation I had with a lovely lady who had approached me at the end of an ecumenical service we both happened to be present at. Thankfully her curiosity was not stifled, and as we chatted, we discovered that we are both servants of our Lord Jesus Christ:
While I am a minister of Word and Sacrament (not easy to tell as I wasn’t wearing a clerical collar), she had been a missionary in a West African country; hence her curiosity, as to my country of origin. Now back in the UK, she continues to serve her church in a different capacity. At the end of our conversation and as we parted company, we both felt happy to have had a chat.
Friends, do we notice that individuals are too scared of having honest and open conversations? I do not want to cause an offence – I do not want to say the wrong thing – I feel worried about voicing my opinion; are these not words we sometimes use and hear often today? Is the fear of causing offence not compounded by fake news and those who make assumptions and share baseless information about others? Genuine debate is now rare – there is pressure created by the expectation of a few, that everybody needs to agree with a particular position without questioning; with the resultant effect that the voice of the majority is being silenced by the clanging symbols of the few.
The question is what can we as Christians do? As Christians now more than ever, we need to not stifle curiosity, nor discard honest and open discussions. We need to have confidence in ourselves and our viewpoints but must be genuinely open to someone else’s point of view. We need to find the right balance in discussions that promote gentleness, mutual respect, the willingness to listen and the freedom to agree or disagree without the need to force one’s opinion through bullying, intimidation, and violence.
No doubt as Christians our words and actions will have value only if they build up and benefit others. So, let us extend the same grace we have received from Christ to others by prioritising kindness compassion and forgiveness. I offer the following questions for reflection:
- How could wanting to please Christ help us to guard our thoughts, words and actions?
- Do we show lively interest in others, accommodating, not stifling their curiosity?
- How do we seek and speak the truth with gentleness and respect, rather than make assumptions about others?
- Do we ask if it is necessary, and what we aim to achieve, before responding to assumptions made about us?
- How do we respect the boundaries and opinions of others?
- Friends let us aim to build others up, not break them down:
Do for others what you want them to do for you Matthew 7:12.
Every blessing
Irene
Enjoy the beautiful summer poppies at every stage of life-from tightly closed buds to flowers.
Photo taken by Alison Hale.
