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Luke 11:37-54

A ‘House’ of Cards

As a big brother I know what it is like to build a house of cards and have it knocked down. The slightest bump, or softest blow and the cards collapse. My life is just like a house of cards which I’ve painstakingly put together. A wife, a bunch of kids, a ministry, a home to live in, lots of good things to enjoy. So why does Jesus come along and ruin everything by giving my ‘house’ a bump which results in my life collapsing?

Have you been sometimes bewildered to find Jesus is the one who seems to be ruining your life. Why the inconsolable child? Why the bone tiredness that comes from having to jam in so much into everyday? Why the unforeseen bill that means there won’t be a family holiday this year? The answer is always because Jesus wants you (and me) to have much, much more.

I think in terms of tasks, jobs, to do list, achievements, goals, projections and planning. But Jesus wants to turn all this upside down. What better way to do this than with a wife and four kids. They are an opportunity for me to learn to look to Christ when there are ‘bumps’ that cause my ‘house’ to collapse. They are an opportunity for me to learn to love them in all their brokenness as Christ loves me with mine.

Just when I thought I had my ‘house’ built the way I wanted Christ brings my sister into my life to give me an opportunity to have my life all messed up again. Christ wants me to rebuild my ‘house’ so that includes my sister and in doing so I’ll grow in compassion, kindness, mercy and love. Christ will never let your ‘house‘ be finished because he loves you too much.  the Rev