Thought for the Week

The saying “Every day is a school day” has been attributed to a Walter Young, a 1921 member of Rotary.

I am not a Rotarian but know at the heart of their philosophy is a fourfold test of any action, thought or word: Is it true, is it fair, will it build goodwill, and will it be beneficial to all?

Over recent weeks of political upheaval in Europe and USA with spin, claims and later admitted lies from public leaders, applying this test before speaking would have saved much anguish.

We have, however, become used to an environment of lies and become slaves to the spin.

Gus Speth, an American academic, commented“I used to think the top global environmental problem(s) was) … climate change ... but I was wrong.

“The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy – and to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation and we scientists don’t know how to do that.”

Long before 2016, Jesus squared up the religious leaders of his day and challenged them to face truth, because truth would set them free. ( John 8:32).

For the benefit of the vulnerable, the weak, and in fact everyone in our community, we need to learn deeply the meaning of Jesus’ words about freedom.

For those of us who are Christians this includes the admission we have not always got it right and the determination to now walk with all who love truth that we may together find the freedom that Jesus meant.

This is our school day and our homework. Ken Coulter: Church Leader,Rutherglen Baptist Community Church.