Following Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour totally transforms our perspective. Faith in God is not intended to be an isolated part of our lives but practically impact everything. This goes far beyond our beliefs or thoughts but plays out daily in the way we respond.
Last night I turned on the rugby all-star clash between the New Zealand and Indigenous Australian teams. After seeing the Kiwis belt out their national anthem with gusto as one, I was saddened to see the Indigenous players strangely silent whilst "Advance Australia Fair" was played. It seems I was not the only one who noticed, as it was addressed in an opinion piece on the NRL website and an article on 9 News. According to the article, the Australian captain responded when asked about the silence, saying "...he didn’t believe the song represented himself or his family and the lyrics embodied a different message to Indigenous people. It just brings back so many memories from what's happened, and it's something everyone as a group and everyone in Australia needs to, I suppose, get together and work something out.” This isn't the first time people have been hurt, offended, or at odds with one another, but I was sad nonetheless. Based on his comments it doesn't seem Walker is against the song, per se, but has unresolved conflict over the past.
I'm relatively new to these fair shores, and do not presume to be an authority on the terrible tragedies suffered by Indigenous Australians. I do know there is a "National Sorry Day" celebrated annually on 26 May, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 issued an apology on behalf of the Federal government. It may be common sentiment among hurting people that "Sorry isn't enough," yet being genuinely sorry is of little benefit when there is no forgiveness. That is when healing can begin. I have seen people, though faith in Jesus Christ, forgive and pray for those who have hurt them when the perpetrator isn't sorry - and perhaps still denies all wrongdoing. By Jesus Christ healing and freedom from inescapable pains of the past can be a lasting result.
Without Jesus, this freedom and capacity for forgiveness is impossible. Having freely been forgiven by the grace of God, how fitting is it for followers of Jesus to forgive others too. Matthew 18:21-22 says, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." That's a lot of forgiveness! God has forgiven us beyond measure, more than anyone could ever do us wrong. Forgiveness is never easy, but is righteous, good, and a clear step towards healing wounds new and old. Time does not heal all wounds; the past cannot be undone: but by God's grace we can forgive and discover abundant life in Christ.
Last night I turned on the rugby all-star clash between the New Zealand and Indigenous Australian teams. After seeing the Kiwis belt out their national anthem with gusto as one, I was saddened to see the Indigenous players strangely silent whilst "Advance Australia Fair" was played. It seems I was not the only one who noticed, as it was addressed in an opinion piece on the NRL website and an article on 9 News. According to the article, the Australian captain responded when asked about the silence, saying "...he didn’t believe the song represented himself or his family and the lyrics embodied a different message to Indigenous people. It just brings back so many memories from what's happened, and it's something everyone as a group and everyone in Australia needs to, I suppose, get together and work something out.” This isn't the first time people have been hurt, offended, or at odds with one another, but I was sad nonetheless. Based on his comments it doesn't seem Walker is against the song, per se, but has unresolved conflict over the past.
I'm relatively new to these fair shores, and do not presume to be an authority on the terrible tragedies suffered by Indigenous Australians. I do know there is a "National Sorry Day" celebrated annually on 26 May, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 issued an apology on behalf of the Federal government. It may be common sentiment among hurting people that "Sorry isn't enough," yet being genuinely sorry is of little benefit when there is no forgiveness. That is when healing can begin. I have seen people, though faith in Jesus Christ, forgive and pray for those who have hurt them when the perpetrator isn't sorry - and perhaps still denies all wrongdoing. By Jesus Christ healing and freedom from inescapable pains of the past can be a lasting result.
Without Jesus, this freedom and capacity for forgiveness is impossible. Having freely been forgiven by the grace of God, how fitting is it for followers of Jesus to forgive others too. Matthew 18:21-22 says, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." That's a lot of forgiveness! God has forgiven us beyond measure, more than anyone could ever do us wrong. Forgiveness is never easy, but is righteous, good, and a clear step towards healing wounds new and old. Time does not heal all wounds; the past cannot be undone: but by God's grace we can forgive and discover abundant life in Christ.
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