Some things change...

"It's been a BIG week .....", as Eddie McGuire used to say regarding football. It's been a HUGE week in federal politics.No-one I've spoken to saw the events of the week unfolding as they have. Beware the ire of the Labour Party factions.  And our first female PM with true blue Aussie twang to boot. Congratulations Julia - I think? It's worth remembering where you were when you heard that piece of history making news.The swings and round-abouts of public life and decision making.We welcome new people to St Philips public life as we hold our own meeting of the St Philips caucus today called the Annual Meeting of Enrolled Parishioners. Roles on ministry teams and Parish Councils are public roles and I thank those who have considered nomination and who will be elected today. Be kind to your reps; pray for them and use them - they are your servants to promote the common good.As we consider the book of Kings today we enter into the public life of the leaders of the nation of Israel. It was even more capricious, unstable, opportunistic, driven by expedience and desperation than any period in Australian political life.It's easy and natural to see the every day events of public life and process as the main game; the game that matters; the only game. Kings is saying NO. The main game belongs to God and we are His to uphold and carry out our responsibilities according to His standards and expectations.It's difficult when political "good sense" - even GREAT sense - is contrary to God's clear, unequivocal word. Ahab was a great political leader but his compromises and liaisons were abhorrent to God. Elijah, then Elisha, got the job of letting him know. Today's text, as clearly as any in the bible, reveals the human cost on those messengers who determine to stand for God against the prevailing spirit of the age.Many of us at St Philips have important civic roles in our workplaces and volunteer commitments. Be assured of my prayers for you as you have to decide whether you'll take the path of Ahab or Elijah in your decision making and responsibilities. The New Testament will rarely give you the specific answer to your unique question. It is, however, God's word revealing God's clear principles of what it means to be His man or woman in His world - I commend it to you.In Jesus' AdventureMalcolm