The Resolute

Gus is an MTS apprentice. And Gus wrote some studies about Christian dating (and some other stuff). But is there more of a link between the two than Gus? Well, I think what links them is that Christians are in danger of undertaking them wrongly in the same way.

Christians do dating differently to the world. Sometimes it’s called ‘courting’ to help make the distinction. One of the differences (there are several) is that a large part of what you are doing is explicitly assessing whether or not someone is wise to marry.

MTS is a brilliant movement committed to raising up gospel workers to go out into the harvest. During a 2 year program focussed on front line ministry and training, apprentices are given the opportunity to assess whether or not they should go into full time word ministry.

How do we do either poorly? By missing two words:

‘Or not’.

If you date you don’t have to get married. If you do MTS you don’t have to go into full time ministry. If it’s a Godly and wise course of action to take then go ahead and get married/go into full time word ministry but we need to protect the other two options from the stigma of failure.

If these undertakings are about whether or not to make a commitment to a longer, more permanent version of themselves then the option ‘or not’ should be viewed as a positive outcome. If you were trying to figure out which way to go and were able to make a decision then you’ve achieved the goal. Neither should be about getting on a metaphorical conveyor belt, but gathering information to make a decision.

I was shocked today to find upon reading the Sydney Morning Herald that my life may not be as terrible as I thought. As a uni student I am very concerned about the cost of living. I remember fondly the days when paying two dollars fifty for a family sized block of Cadbury chocolate was too much. Now I find myself cringing when I pay the same amount and consider myself extremely lucky.

However, the SMH informs me that I am tragically misinformed when I consider myself hard done by as an Australian citizen. According to a new survey Sydney ranks number 2 in the world in terms of “domestic purchasing power”. Could it be true? Could I in fact be one of the lucky ones?

Perhaps I should take the SMH’s advice and “just be happy with [my] lot in life”. However, on further reflection I came to the conclusion that advice in the media is never sensible and therefore I should dismiss it out of hand.

Unfortunately though, while reading my bible I came across this verse, “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment.” (I Timothy 6:6). Perhaps the SMH had some sensible advice to give for once.

Thankfully I can still complain about the state of public transport, health care, education, infrastructure…