When you are 15 you think you can change the world

Poatina Morning tea devotion given today

Step into life

Bono once said “when you’re 15 you think you can change the world… and sometimes you’re right.”

Last night watched a disturbing documentary about “Our Generation”. What the intervention has meant to our indigenous people.  There are some serious underlying things in the way we treat them.  The reason medical staff and police were brought onto indigenous land was because of reports of abuse.  The author of the report said the Government has ignored every recommendation of his report, and used it as a chance to claim back land.

Out of 7000 aboriginal children assessed, only 4 were found to be victims of abuse.  Imagine if something like this was imposed on any Anglo-Saxon white community?

The rates of depression in young people are five times higher than older folk.

What does it mean to care?

Three people want to come to Poatina, and we’re working through what it would mean for them to come.  Poatina has impacted many young people.

Poatina was designed to be a response to the needs of disadvantaged people.

The verse that challenged me as a young person (and I’ve held onto it) is from 1 Timothy 4:12 – “don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young… but set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Paul is saying because you’re young its not an excuse to not change the world.

Life – Keith led a special time of worship during NRC.  He had a blue cloth on the floor representing a river, with stones around it… symbol of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River… what stops us entering into the promised land?  For Keith, the promised land in Poatina is “the way life was meant to be.” He wasn’t sure how to do it yet… certainly plenty of giants to face.

An aboriginal elder said “don’t just stand with us and watch us fall… do something.”

Its all well to have good ideas… but is it all talk?

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  We can think about goals, and the means to get there… Life isn’t about where you get to, but how you get there.  Its in the way we talk to people… see little people…

Jesus living in us… local, personal, relational.

Living life first hand so we’re not bossed about by ideas.

If truly living life the way its meant to be… then its messy… its now… its fun… alive… here.  Its not what’s gunna-be in 20 years.

Challenge is we often don’t like the “now” – don’t like ourselves now, worry about what’s gunna-be.

As a student, I often dreamt of becoming a doctor, being a millionaire – the dreams were a long way off.

I’m challenged – very well to have angry feelings about the treatment of our aboriginals, but what am I going to do about it?

Very well to have good ideas about Poatina – but what am I going to do with it?

Doesn’t matter if I’m only 15 or 75, if you think you can change the world… you might be right.