Rector's letter for March Fowey News
Dear Friends
Continuing a series on the things we have in common… another thing is an element of delusion.
It may not be as obvious as a Donald Trump who, tweeting on his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, told the world that he had used his ‘great and unmatched wisdom’. Are you serious? Who honestly talks or writes like that? It sounds like a pantomime villain. It’s the kind of line that could be followed by an evil cackle. But sadly, it was no panto. Closer to home, the football manager Brian Clough was similarly deluded. He declared on camera, ‘When I die, God is going to have to give up his favourite chair.’
We may not go as far as to claim that we have ‘great and unmatched wisdom’, or that we are worthy of sitting in God’s place, but there is something of the Donald in all of us because, functionally, we often operate as if we are God and as if we believe that we possess supreme wisdom. We are all inclined to have an inflated view of our own wisdom. We all tend to presume that we will usually do the right thing; that we are in charge of our lives; that we should be able to do whatever we want. We live day-to-day as if we were the ultimate authority, doing what we want and when. Personal mottos include, ‘Follow your heart,’ ’If it feels good, do it,’ and, ‘No one tells me what to do.’
But it is the ultimate ‘God delusion’. And as the psalmist’s lyric goes, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14v1).
Even a moment’s thought and reflection exposes us: While we may try our best, we all know that we have not always made right or good or the wisest decisions. Have you ever chosen to lie or to cheat or to deceive? I have. Have you ever chosen to ignore advice or to arrogantly stand your ground or to be unkind? I have. Have you ever chosen to do a good thing, but done so begrudgingly or for the sake of your own reputation? I have.
If we really had ‘great and unmatched wisdom’ we would not all have made, and continue to make, such wrong, bad, and weak decisions. We delude ourselves and play at being God, but it’s obvious that we’re not and we need saving both from our delusion and from ourselves. Which is why Jesus - and Easter - are such good news.
Without Jesus, we may think we’ve got life sorted. We may think that we’ll do life right. We may think we’re wise. But we’re mistaken. We need the one who is truly great and unmatched in wisdom and power and authority. We need Jesus. In fact, without him, we may have more in common with the Donald than we may care to admit.
(with thanks to Pete Jackson) and with every blessing
Philip