Responsibility

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life"

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

One of my favourite sayings is based on the story in the Book of Daniel, where the prophet interprets a dream for Nebuchadnezzar. Here the King is tormented by the representation of an image with a head of fine gold, body and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron and finally feet of clay mixed with iron. His frustration is such that he kills all the wise men of Babylon who are unable to offer an interpretation. This story is a constant reminder to me, that all idols have clay feet and that some are clay from the neck down.

During the week, I was distressed to read that a prominent religious public school was facing a number of lawsuits over claims of child abuse that extended over a thirty year period. It was further alleged that a very high ranking church official, now deceased, had been aware of the abuses - practically from their onset. As a consequence of his failure to inform the police or social services, he had by default, perpetuated the duration of the assaults. The report added (in his defence, maybe) that it was the policy of that organisation to excommunicate clerics who breached the church’s code of secrecy, when such matters were discovered. My heart sank, partly because of the obvious anguish felt by those who had come forward to recall their painful experiences and partly, because I was employed by that Church in the 1970s to manage their youth and community facility in Central London. To this day, whenever I pass the Cathedral, I step inside and spend a few minutes in prayer and reflection. I may not agree with their religious beliefs, but I respect the sanctity of their buildings.

What reverberated in my soul, however, was the realisation that if the cleric had exposed the abuse, his excommunication would have deprived the Christian world of a very famous theologian, renown for his single mindedness and holiness. Yet if he had, many young boys would have been spared degrading and humiliating abuse by pedophiles posing as clergy. He chose to obey the regulations of his church. I cannot judge others, only myself. I pray that I will always have the strength to act in accordance with my beliefs and principles. Compromising one’s position invariably weakens future actions and seriously erodes personal credibility as another senior protestant cleric has discovered to his cost. For me, Nelson Mandela is one of the few public figures that has consistently maintained his integrity. We can learn a lot from him.

This religious leader died in 1999 and one of the eulogies mentioned his tendency to be indiscreet. However it claimed his indiscretions were never malicious as they always came from his heart and not his head. My opening text makes mention of the need to guard our hearts. The commentary on this verse in the NIV reads ‘If we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good.’ It is perhaps one of the hardest things to achieve – balance in our hearts; the ability to interact peacefully, honestly and fairly in all our relationships with others. Not causing offence in what we say or do, or not say or not do, is a mark of perfection, that few of us have attained. We place our idols on pedestals, often without their permission and feel betrayed when they fall off. We read in the Old Testament that some of the prophets were liars, rapists, thieves and murderers, yet the stories tell us that they were used of God and many were blessed by their prophecies. We also read in Scripture that ministers should "tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God…not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonourably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office, but eagerly and cheerfully" – 1 Peter 5.2 (Amp).

For those of us still waiting perfection - if we can be honest with ourselves in what lies within our hearts, we can with God’s help, move forward to a place where there is better understanding and peace within ourselves and in our friendships with others.

"[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength" - Ephesians 1:17-19 (Ampl)

May the Holy Spirit of God reveal to you, the secrets of your heart, for God to fulfil the hopes of your heart.

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