A thought for the Newyear

I once read a quote that went something like, “I was afraid of being a radical in my youth for fear of becoming conservative in my old age.” Although I am not old (my nephews are falling around laughing about now), I find myself in the unusual position of still feeling the call to be a radical in my heart, yet damping that down to live a conservative life. This has got me wondering whether old age is fast approaching or if I’ve allowed myself to get Zimmer-framed into a nice safe, little niche. It also has me wondering when this happened? And more importantly, is it reversible or am I destined to just fade further and further away? You see, I like being a radical, and not because it’s cool or allows you to get away with wearing a trendy T-shirt. I like being a radical because God is and I kinda believe Him when He says that I was made in His image. Every time I see Jesus doing something absolutely profound in the Gospels, it is generally rocking the world of the conservative in a very radical way. Allowing himself to have his feet washed by a prostitute, healing a leper, talking to a Samaritan woman or worse yet, healing the servant of a Roman centurion and saying that this Roman soldier had more faith than anyone including the religious (and very conservative) elite. Here is my understanding of the problem I face: a radical Gospel message is to be lived in a world that isn’t too rapt to be told about it. Even the most devout atheist would admit the world we live in is dealing with a fallen humanity. Unfortunately the world seems to have two ways of dealing with this (and yes I am generalising to make a point). The radicals tend to be the people you see on TV getting water cannoned for protesting something you believe is right. Conservatives, however, seem to be on our side on all the major world issues such as family, crime, punishment etc., and so we have a tendency to embrace the conservative way of life. Take a look in our pews if you don’t believe me. Not too many hippies or nose rings to be seen. I have trapped myself into developing a view that anything conservative is good and being a radical is kicking against the goads in God’s plan. Unfortunately, conservatism is the world’s way of dealing with sin without having to acknowledge God. Don’t get me wrong. Truth is still truth, but the conservative way of dealing with prostitutes is to make laws to ban the practice (and they work so well) rather than go and minister to them with the news that there is hope for a better life. The Samaritan woman living in a conservative world was an outcast due to her marital and racial status. In Jesus’ world she was a precious jewel worthy to be the first non-Jew to proclaim the Messiah. And when was the last time my quiet conservatism invited my enemy to ask for prayer for a sick person in their house? No, I don’t want to fade away. And I believe I can be a radical for a long time yet. After all 39 is very young for someone who is destined to live forever.