Presenting an Alternative

Eighty-two-year-old Jimmy was an active teacher, involved in his local community. Now he’s virtually blind; frequently he’s confused and angry. Friends are concerned about Jimmy, and his wife who bears the brunt of Jimmy’s frustrations.  

Yesterday afternoon I met Jimmy. I reminded Jimmy of good things he’d done in the past, people he’d worked with, their successes and achievements. It was a good, cheerful conversation.

I hope and pray that he heard an alternative to his frequent feelings of hopelessness and uselessness.

Yesterday evening I attended a youth event attended by young people from local churches. There were silly games, competitions, challenges… I helped with the music…

Danny chatted to the young people from the text: ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example… ‘

When we were young, older folks very negative, saying: ‘Young people today…’. Some things don’t change. Danny presented an alternative, talking very positively about the creativity, fearlessness, energy, insights and potential of young people today.

I came home and watched the news. MPs have voted to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. There was passionate debate about an issue close to the hearts of many; people spoke of their experiences and their resulting opinions.

I reflected… on friends who’ve been faced with end-of-life care for their loved ones and had come to different conclusions… how I might have voted… whether my Christian views on compassion and dignity, life and death, hope and heaven, present an alternative.

Jesus frequently presented alternatives… good news for the poor, freedom for the captives, sight for the blind, release for the oppressed…

This morning I read the prayer attributed to St Francis which includes:

‘…where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.’

My prayer today is, that, as a Jesus-follower, I may present godly alternatives to prevailing attitudes and perceived realities.