Life spared

Last week's execution in Indonesia hit world headlines.

Firstly, there was a lady, Mary Jane Veloso who was given a reprieve.  Somebody turned herself in in the Philippines, claiming that she tricked Mary Jane into carrying drugs.  Her claim is presently under confession.  It gave Mary Jane more time to live, even so.

Why did she do it?  Was it her conscience?  Her generosity?

How would Mary Jane feel about it?  Relieved?  Angry?  That she deserves the reprieve that she has been given?  Or that the reprieve is a surprise, but great blessing?

When Jesus died on the cross for us, He not only gave us a reprieve, He gave us a new life.  How do we feel about that?  Relieved?  Angry?  That we deserve this?  Or are we grateful for the blessing?

Two others who did not get a reprieve were Australians.

1. Andrew Chan was a supervisor at a catering company in Sydney.  He felt that life was not going anywhere.  He was a drug usser.  When given the chance to join a gang and use his leadership skills in the drug trade instead of being a consumer, he he took the opportunity and became a ringleader in the Bali Nine.
2. Myuran Sukumaran worked in a mailroom at the Sydney Passport Office.  He was attracted to the nightclub scene, where his friends had access to women, booze and fast, expensive cars.  He saw that he could not have this lifestyle unless he had more money.  He was also a martial arts expert.  When given the opportunity to join a gang to quicken his money-earning ability, he took it.

These guys were tempted into the illegal drug trade as they wanted to expedite their careers and their earnings.  They got arrested and tried for these activities about 10 years ago.

Interestingly, the other members of the Bali Nine received life sentences - these guys got death sentences even though they had less drugs on them.  Andrew Chan did not have any drugs on him at the time of his arrest.

Might they have thought that their sentences were unfair?  That God was unfair?  Would you have thought like that if you had been in their shoes?  Would you have been upset and remorseful and hated the world?

Chan and Sukumaran later met Jesus while in prison, awaiting their execution.  This seems to make a world of a difference to them.

1. Chan used his leadership personality to serve his fellow inmates as a Christian priest,
2. Sukumaran completed an arts course at Curtin University.  He went on to introduce education courses to his fellow inmates.  He started computer classes for them, and was about to start accounting and legal studies for them also.
3. When executed, these guys and the others were singing "Amazing Grace" and "Bless the Lord O my soul".

They could have been in despair about getting executed.  They could have felt useless and unwilling to do anything helpful in their last days.  However, they chose to live to the max in their remaining days, and bless God and the people around them.

Is this what knowing Jesus is like?  Does Jesus make a difference to you like this as well?

Lies to unlearn

Marc Chernhoff lists the following lies that we should unlearn:

• Happiness is getting what you want.  (Not really.  Happiness is being content with what you have.)
• Success is living up to everybody's expectations, including yours.  (Not necessarily.  You can feel successful for every positive difference you make, regardless how small, even if they don't meet anyone's expectations.)
• A busy day is a productive day.  (No.  You can be busy without being productive.  You should work smarter, not harder, and you should be diligent as you work.)
• To be brave is to not feel afraid.  (Actually, you can be brave and feel afraid at the same time.)
• To be strong is to not feel pain.  (Actually, even the strong feel pain.)
• Everyone around you is holding you back.  (No.  Take responsibility for your own progress, don't blame people or circumstances around you.)
• You are entitled to expect certain things from other people.  (No.  Expect nothing, and you won't be disappointed.)
• You will feel comfortable when the time is right.  (Not necessarily.  You can feel comfortable even if the time is wrong.  Discomfort can also be a sign of growth and meeting with changes which can be positive.)
• It is already too late.  (Probably not.  You can keep trying).

I found his list rather profound and simple and true. How about you?  What do you think of the items on this list?

If they are indeed true, then how did we come about to believe such lies?  Is it because of our ego?  Our culture?  Our environment?  Would our expectations be different if we grew up somewhere else?

How can we unlearn such lies if indeed they are lies?

What do you think?