Making Connections (continued)

Jesus’ mission was to draw they people’s attention back to the truth of God’s ever-present loving care. His life demonstrated that whether we find ourselves in the deep shadows of one of life’s valleys, or in the bright glory of the mountain tops, God’s love and life enhancing power is all around us. By focusing on Jesus’ life and comprehending its meaning, that is believing in the one who sent him, we have that change of mindset that sees God’s care and transformative power in all that we face. We are reborn into the light.

With this news comes a note of caution, we need to be aware of the attraction of the old mindset. There are attitudes that can get in the way, especially where our self-interests are concerned. We see an example of this in the story of the “Four Friends Indeed”. Shu’s desire for the reward overpowered his sense of gratitude and justice. He seized the opportunity for gain without concern for what it cost Han. In that sense he loved the darkness more than the light. Han, too, learned a lesson: light may be found where he did not expect to find any, his animal friends.

The stories demonstrate the various aspects of the call to be born again. First, it is a call to being aware of our weaknesses, our tendencies to downplay God’s love or presence in our lives. Secondly, it is a call to walk in in the conscious awareness of God’s love for us and all people. It means making a decision to be aware and focused on what God’s promise of love means for us. To walk in the light. Finally, it means being aware of the fact that God’s loving care can be shown through the most surprising of circumstances and individuals.