Monday, November 16, 2009

Only Jesus

The story caught my attention at 6:15 a.m. this morning

CANBERRA, Australia – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a historic apology Monday to thousands of impoverished British children shipped to Australia with the promise of a better life, triggering calls for compensation for the abuse and neglect that many suffered.


The British government has estimated 150,000 British children may have been shipped abroad between 1618 and 1967, most from the late 19th century onward. After 1920, most of the children went to Australia through programs run by the government, religious groups and children's charities.


The programs, which ended 40 years ago, were intended to provide the children with a new start — and the Empire with a supply of sturdy white workers. But many children ended up in institutions where they were physically and sexually abused, or were sent to work as farm laborers.

A new start? How many of us, young and old, can't help but wish for a new start. What we have is too expensive. What we have is too painful. What we have is too, too, if you know what I mean.

These kids, one would assume, were orphans or else their parents had great need of a new start as well, one that includes forgiveness.

But isn't that the point of it all? At the end of it all, don't we simply need forgiveness and isn't that the way to a new start?

Theologically, one can argue the basic merits of the ol' works versus grace stuff, but it still will come down to who gets to give or get the new start? If my abilities could give me a new start, then they would if I so wanted one, and I know very few who don't. Since they don't give me a new start, one must wonder what else is there, who other avenue.

That being the case, one looks for a new start-er. For me, for us, that new start-er is Jesus, only Jesus. Nothing or no one else makes that difference. See, starting afresh doesn't mean clearing away the debris of the old life, it means completely becoming a new creature, as Paul says. To do so, one needs another one of those re-start-ers. Jesus. Only Jesus can do this.

Re-start today, if you need to. Center this morning on Jesus. Sing to Jesus. Read a Psalm to Jesus. Shut up and let him wash over you. Only Jesus. Only Jesus. Let our mantra be, re-start us Jesus.

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