Take time to reflect this Easter

Have you noticed how much of the newspaper is full of opinion these days. I often find myself going to the opinion first because the basic news has come to me in all manner of ways; radio, TV, computer, even mobile phone!Everyone seems to be invited to have an opinion.How informed is the opinion I have? Libya, a tax on carbon, an AFL footballers groin injury, an appropriate punishment for a convicted prisoner? What do I really know? But you can bet your life, I'll have an opinion. I'll have a response.The Old Testament is particularly wary of the uninformed who are free with their opinions. Wisdom says; Proverbs 19:2 (NIV) It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. And Job 38:2 (NIV) says, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?"We were reading Luke 13 at prayers this morning. In it Jesus makes it clear that he is real news and everyone's opinion of him and response to him will be assessed. Easter is a time when we consider who Jesus is and what he's done. Do I know? What's my opinion? How do I respond? Does my opinion bear the mark of real knowledge or am I just making it up as I go along?When I meet really knowledgeable people who know Jesus I notice two things: firstly, a graciousness towards others and their, often less well informed, opinions. Secondly, an ambivalence about asserting their  views.  This can, unfortunately, lead to them being unheard when they should be heard, which is a shame.There is one other thing I've observed about some very well informed people I know: they get busy making a real positive difference where they can. When the uninformed a crying, "the sky is falling", these well informed folk seem winsomely busy just loving their neighbours in a simple way.Do take time to reflect this Easter.In the AdventureMalcolm