I believe in change
We have been contemplating Acts chapter 1 verses 12 to 26 in the last two weeks. Verse 12 was enough to get me contemplating.
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
My first pause on this verse is with the word ‘apostles’, which means, as they say in Greek, ‘Apostolos’, ‘one who is sent out’. Over the centuries, it has become honorific.
Just imagine that whatever you do in your day, you have been chosen and sent to do it. If I contemplate that I consider what I spent three years of my life studying to be approved, and before that, I had to be accepted. Makes me wonder why I question myself so much, particularly since I have been doing it for nearly 30 years.
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I encourage you to look at your life journey as I look at mine to see how you have been shaped towards what you are doing. If you don't feel you have gotten to do what you should be doing, I encourage you to look at what has marked your life to date, perhaps by reflecting on your answer at different ages to the question “What do you want to be?”
In 1970 I was born into ‘The Troubles’ that were occurring in Northern Ireland. That meant it was normal in my world to see Police Officers with submachine guns and British soldiers on the street. It was normal in my world to be frisked as you entered some shops and to be stopped at either Police or Army checkpoints. It was normal in my world to see opposing sides clash and to know people who had family members in prison. It was normal in my world to be in fear of either being shot or being caught in a bomb blast.
So from an early age, I was asking questions about who or what was right.I was aware of the Police, Courts and prisons. Not surprisingly, up to the age of 12, if you had asked me what I wanted to be, I would have replied, “A Police officer.” My answer changed in my teenage years to a barrister or a solicitor. By 15, I recall answering the question with “An MP.”
All these answers centre around Justice. By 17, I was disillusioned and concentrated my energy on developing my spirituality and helping others develop theirs. By 19, I was on a two-year Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry course. By 21, I was attempting to open a ‘Pub with no beer’. By 22, I was working with a homeless hostel and by 23, I was on a social work course. By 25, I was working as a Social Worker. Almost 30 years on, I still am. The themes of Justice and Change have followed me.
Most of the last 30 years have been facilitating change for individuals who have experienced the Justice system.
The pivotal moment for me was just before my 17th birthday when I questioned my beliefs and allowed myself time to contemplate what the best way forward was. That was a time of significant change through which I experienced change and, as a consequence, became a believer in it for all people.
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