When I’m weary
There is an expectation that we always have more to do, that resting is lazy, and that taking time out can be seen as failure. What if the Kingdom of God offers an alternative lifestyle to the constant capitalist wheel that never sleeps? God himself was the author of resting in the creation narrative. Is chilling on the sofa with endless streaming options enough? Or is there something more fulfilling out there for when we are feeling weary and exhausted?
Who is the greatest?
All of us will have tried to aim high and achieve greatness at some point in life—it’s conditioned into us from a young age. The teaching of Jesus often goes against the ways of the world—the last shall be first and the poor and meek are blessed. The status quo is flipped upside down by Jesus throughout his years in ministry. And children, who were seen as nuisances at the time, are elevated as the “greatest” perhaps without even trying. So instead of aiming for the crown, should we aim to bow down?
When we get tempted
The Bible says that we won’t be tempted beyond what we can bear, but that doesn’t mean we get to go through life without any temptation. Jesus himself was tempted physically and emotionally in the wilderness with desire, power and control. He uses his knowledge of scripture to counter the words of the devil. When we are distracted with other gods, kings and powers of the world, what can we learn from Jesus in how he fights temptation?