The state of Christianity in the 'West'

Throughout the relatively short course of my life, I have seen Christianity decline in Australia. The sons and daughters of those who never had much (or any) belief are out in full force, and now having children of their own. They're followers of the world's ideologies, not of Christ's teachings. I must confess, it's getting harder to live in a world where so many people hold a different worldview to mine. I frequently cry due the callousness and ignorance of those who openly oppose Christ. Yeah, sure, they often have some sort of moral compass, but when it comes to the sanctity of human life, many are driven by agendas that fly in the face of Christianity. Is it Christians they can't stand, or Christ himself? I think it's both. To them, anything that challenges hardened hearts must be eliminated at all costs. It comes down to the discomfort they feel when considering their own 'humanness'. No one wants to wake up to themselves - they're having far too much fun self-serving to do that.

I recently read a small news segment in the October 2019 edition of 'Forward in Christ' magazine (Vol. 12, No. 3, p. 4). These magazines are always an interesting read, but there is a common thread: Christianity is continuing to be warped and twisted by those who have no desire to know Christ.

Seminary Confesses to Plants: In a bizarre chapel ceremony in September, students at Union Theological Seminary (UTS), New York, confessed their sins to a collection of potted plants. The verdant seminary described the event on social media, tweeting, "Today in chapel, we confessed to plants. Together, we held our grief, joy, regret, hope, guilt and sorrow in prayer; offering them to the beings who sustain us but whose gift we too often fail to honor. What do you confess to the plants in your life?"

One seminarian answered, "Here was my confession. ‘I confess that even as I’ve waxed poetic and theological about how indispensable you are, I’ve privileged my own comfort and convenience over your well-being.'" I’ve privileged my own comfort and convenience over your wellbeing? Seminarians at UTS might want to apply that same line of reasoning to abortion, which the school enthusiastically supports.

 

Image credit: South Pacific Prints

"These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God." (Matthew 15: 8-9, New Living Translation)

Seeing your significance...

Sometimes it can be difficult to see any significance in what you do. You work hard, try your best, give it your all. You try to better yourself, learn more, give more. You do it to share your skills, your understandings, your life lessons. Sometimes, however, your reach seems so limited and your efforts worthless. At this point, it becomes harder to see your purpose in this world. I'll always remember a priest who spoke at a Sydney youth festival: "A lot goes into a person." It made me reconsider what my parents wanted for me and some of the conscious choices they made.

Each one of us is unique, the product of a myriad of experiences and teachings and interactions. Each one of us has so much to share, but sometimes the opportunity to do so is lacking. I've worked hard in my life to learn new things, improve my knowledge, be the best teacher I can be. But, I have learnt that I can't please everyone in the way they might want. If they want a 'yes-man', then I'm definitely not who they're after. If they want someone who is happy with being undervalued and disrespected, I won't ultimately work out for them either.

I've spent a lot of time in my life trying to impress the wrong people. Only now in my forties have I come to recognise my worth. All those public holidays spent studying. The many all-nighters spent planning the perfect sequence of lessons as an RFF teacher. The intricate feedback comments that were barely read by students and parents. The hours and hours of preparation put into single lessons or tutoring sessions.

This time and effort has amounted to something. The product is a teacher who thinks critically, who has something of great worth to share with her students. A person who has never been motivated by the pay cheque is a person who will ultimately shine as an educator. I have been very fortunate to receive fantastic feedback in recent years from parents whose children I tutor. For the first time, my teaching is being witnessed in their homes, its merits evaluated. It's like everything I have worked towards is finally seeing fruition. This was never going to happen in the school context, where my role as a diverse learning teacher is often looked down on by superiors. In schools, limits are set on what I am able to contribute, but outside of that context, the sky is the limit.

I've finally started to feel significant again.

A rare leader in education...

Every now and again, you meet a truly remarkable educator--someone with passion, wisdom and the skills to inspire. These teachers are becoming increasingly rare, or perhaps it's just that I'm not in the right place. Jenny, your leadership is greatly missed. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words:

Dear Melanie,

I hope you have a year where you feel challenged and given scope to forge your wonderful talents. The students benefit enormously from you because you know your subject so well and have the depth of intelligence and curiosity that makes students feel confident and trusting of you. I now view so much through the prism of what I'd like for my granddaughter and grandson, and my wish would be for them to have teachers like you. Treasure your career; you are so capable and have so much more to give.

Jenny xx

Just be decent...

This is OK as long as:
- your realness does not mean embracing your rudeness;
- your imperfections do not include unfair treatment of others;
- your flaws do not include continual dishonesty in all that you do;
- your quirks do not include always putting on the tears to get your way.

I recently worked with a woman who displayed the traits outlined above. She was always comfortable being herself. The only problem was that she was wily and manipulative. These kinds of quotes have many interpretations. They rely on the assumption that people are decent at heart. But what if they aren't? Should we just tell everyone to 'be themselves'? I get what the quote is saying, but some people spin it their own way (like my former colleague) and let me tell you, working with her was not my idea of fun.