Life lessons from Doctor Who: Gods don't show up

But what if one did?

'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh, and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.'

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel- God with us.

'Jesus answered, 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?'

Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing, by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.

John 1, Isaiah 7, John 14, Philippians 2, Isaiah 9

The way ahead

'It is grace to know God's commands. They release us from self-made plans 

and conflicts. They make our steps certain and our way joyful.'

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 'Psalms: the prayer book of the Bible'

It feels like we are living through increasingly desperate times. The cost of everyday living becoming more impossible for more and more people. Cuts and sanctions against people and places that are already struggling. Human rights are being eroded, free health care is being eroded, belief in the intrinsic value of a human being despite their productivity is being eroded. As more and more of my conversations involve people saying 'how am I going to live?' I find myself turning to the Bible for hope, and I find that the deeper the darkness, the brighter the light. 

The opening quotation was written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He lived in Nazi-controlled Germany and eventually died at their hands. I don't know at what point in his life he wrote those words, but I do know that he chose to stay in Germany out of loyalty to his fellow countrymen. Many, many Christians who have gone before us have made statements like this as God directs them in a way that seems anything but joyful. 

It can be a deep challenge to follow Jesus as he often leads where we don't want to go. As I try to live his way I can't count on a path free from trouble but I can count on his love. I can count on his faithfulness. I can count on his joy. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart. 

The commands of the Lord are radiant, 

giving light to the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is pure, 

enduring forever. 

The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 

Psalm 19