A QUESTION OF FAITH

With Simon Wearn, Rector of Holy Trinity Church WHAT do you do when you reach stalemate? When there doesn’t seem to be a clear option open to you, and you feel boxed it.

We’ve seen it in the debates over Brexit. We observed it across the Atlantic with the shutdown of the US government. And maybe you face it in your own life – a difficult decision that keeps you awake at night. A problem that doesn’t have a simple solution – and you feel trapped. What do we do? There were times in the ministry of Jesus, when people got stuck. They respected the things Jesus said – his teaching came with a new authority. They couldn’t argue with his ability to heal – and flocked to him. But they refused to accept him.

How could he forgive sin? – only God can do that! How could he heal on the Sabbath? – God wouldn’t do that. Why does he mix with sinful people? – he should remain pure. Whilst the religious leaders were struck by his power, they ruled out the possibility that he was God – and so rejected him.

Yet, to those who were open to him – they found the bigger truth: that his miracles and teaching, the display of his power – revealed his true identity and purpose: that he was God come to save. So he mixed with those who realised their need of salvation.

How does that help us when we reach stalemate?

Maybe we need to revisit our assumptions. To look again at the things that have boxed us in. And see if there is another way ahead. We can ask: What are our red lines? Do we need to reconsider them? Is there some common ground that we can find?

As Jesus said: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t stand by clear principles – there are things worth standing for. Nor that there is always common ground – sometimes we have to agree to disagree. But where we need to find a solution to move ahead as a nation, maybe we all need to question our assumptions. If we find ourselves stuck in a work problem – take step back, seek a fresh perspective. And if our relationships seem broken or beyond repair – could we ask someone for help?

Jesus challenges our assumptions. But if we knock on his door, and open our lives to him – we may be surprised at the grace and truth he brings.