2023 Autumn Sower

Sower.

WORDS OF LIFE FOR ALL OF LIFE

Iwonder what season of life you find yourself in? Life certainly has its highs and lows, but as Christians, we can hold tight to the promise that God’s word is a guiding light and sure path for us as we walk forward.

That’s what this edition of Sower is all about: God’s life-giving word and the difference it can make to people in all seasons of life, especially during seasons of darkness and suffering.

You’ll read in this edition about Raya and Nelly, two women from a small village in Galilee who found themselves in seasons of darkness. But God used the Arab Israeli Bible Society to reach both women with wisdom and truth from God’s word. And this only happened because Bible Society Australia is giving the Arab Israeli Bible Society the support they need, so they can advocate for the Bible in their community.

We also hear from prisoners in South Africa who have come to love God’s word and lean into it for direction in their lives. “I was a gangster," one prisoner, Jay, says. “I discovered my life from the word of God ... Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Bible became real in my life and gave me hope in a hopeless situation.”

The Jesus. All About Life (JAAL) campaign is also featured in this edition of Sower — but not just the campaign in Australia — in five countries this Easter! You can read about how Jesus’ message of life was proclaimed ‘around the world’ through the JAAL campaign this Easter.

God’s word is just so important, so life giving and vital. But for many, there are huge barriers to accessing the Bible and reading God’s word for themselves. That’s why this work of Bible advocacy around the world is so important, and you can read more about how the United Bible Societies are equipping, empowering and enabling this work.

Jesus told his followers that his words ‘... are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63b, NIV). The words we have in the Bible are not just human wisdom. They are full of the power of the Holy Spirit, and for everyone who accepts and believes Jesus’ words — they will receive eternal life. This is our ‘why’; we must bring God’s words of life to all people, everywhere, so that they can receive the eternal life Jesus offers us all, no matter what season of life they are facing.

I hope you are encouraged by the stories in this edition of Sower and inspired to share God’s words of life with others.

GOD BLESS, Grant Thomson CEO, BIBLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA

The words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life.

- John 6:63b (nASb)

Nourishing the needy in Galilee

In a little village in western Galilee, almost an equal distance between the Mediterranean coast and the city of Nazareth, the Arab Israeli Bible Society is nourishing the needy with the truth and goodness of God’s word.

"My husband and I have seen the hand of the Lord moving us from darkness to light. We came to the Lord twelve years ago through very difficult circumstances in our relationships as a couple,” says Raya, who lives in this village. Raya and her husband have three daughters and attend the Baptist church in their village.

As Arab citizens of Israel, Raya and her family are a minority within Israel’s population, part of only 20% of the country. Discrimination and inequality are still prevalent in many areas of life for Arab Israeli citizens. Furthermore, there are only 2% of the population of Israel who are Christians.

Raya and her family have been strengthened in their hard times by the work of the Arab Israeli Bible Society. “The conferences helped us a lot as a family to grow in our understanding and be wise in dealing with each other as a family. We were

able to bring all of our needs, sorrows, loads and joys before the Lord every evening as a family. We experienced miracles in our home in all aspects of life.” Raya continues, “I was encouraged by the workshops to perceive my children with a new perspective ... To accept our children as the Lord accepts us. I have also learned the need to ... become a good listener.”

Raya knows the importance of these conferences and has requested that more be held, “to help us to grow in our spirituality and psychology. To help us to become like Jesus and raise a new generation that loves the Lord and abides in him and his word.”

Nelly, a mother and grandmother in her seventies living in the same village, was diagnosed with cancer fifteen years ago. Despite the incredible difficulties, with treatments and surgery, she says, “My faith in God and his goodness was my comfort and steadfastness. For many years, I committed to the Lord and read my Bible on daily basis. The word changed me in all aspects of my life.”

During her illness, Nelly attended a Trauma Healing program run by the Arab Israeli Bible Society. “The program helped me to deal with my pain and be attentive to the pain of others,” she says. “I am praying more for others’ pain — and mine — than before. Also, realising the power of prayer in times of need; physical, emotional, and spiritual.”

Nelly is confident of God’s hand in her life. She says, “Through this time my faith strengthened a lot and got closer to Christ. I praise God; it was a very difficult time, but I am encouraged, and I matured in my faith. I knew the Lord healed me and I feel very well. I thank the Lord every morning for allowing me to know him in a new, meaningful and deeper way.”

Nelly is very thankful for the Trauma Healing program and says, “I recommend the sessions to all who are interested to know the Lord in a meaningful way.”

The Arab Israeli Bible Society is a crucial presence in Galilee, as they advocate for God’s word through seminars, conferences and workshops, changing lives such as Raya’s and Nelly’s. Yet their supporters — Christian Arab Israeli citizens — are a minority, and the Arab Israeli Bible Society requires support to maintain their core presence in their community.

Jesus. All About Life around the world

This year, the Jesus. All About Life (JAAL) campaign is reaching further than ever before, sharing Jesus’ message of ‘life in all its fullness’ in five countries at Easter. In 2023, the campaign is running again in Australia and in Fiji, and for the first time in New Zealand, Kenya and Rwanda.

The Jesus. All About Life campaign is making an ongoing impact in the South Pacific. In 2022, Christians in Fiji and the surrounding areas were delighted with the campaign. Around 1,500 young people flocked to the two-night production, ‘He Sees you’. “For the campaign, we engaged with the whole of Fiji,” says Miliana from Bible Society South Pacific (BSSP). “The 150 volunteers came from different churches. There were around 12 different denominations and between 20-30 churches who engaged with the campaign. They all took part in making the production. They really enjoyed being part of it because they get to work with different churches in different organisations and coming in with different skills. Traveling far, sacrificing sleepless nights, staying up to memorise lines was worth it. ‘It’s worth it’, they told us.”

This year the campaign is running again across Fiji and the regions. A large part of the campaign is supplying churches who sign up with Bibles and resources to use at Easter, including a Bible distribution trip into the remote Yasawa group

of Islands, located in the Western Division of Fiji and made up of a chain of 20 volcanic islands. “The group of islands are reached by boat and then a dinghy from island to island,” explains Teupola, a BSSP staff member.

Training sessions in Trauma Healing and Sunday school teaching are a part of the campaign in regional areas during the daytime and the youth production in the evenings, over three nights. “There are some changes to the production this year,” Teupola explains. “The story line has changed, with a different script each night: the first night on the Easter story and the five people at the cross during the crucifixion; the second night on the Bible Society story of Mary Jones, and the last night based on an excerpt of the story ‘In their Tongues’ by Fiji-born author Satendra Nandan, on how the Bible came to Fiji. Also, this year, instead of involving youth through other organisations, the youth will be directly involved from the churches, connecting them with their local churches.” By distributing Bible resources and connecting the people of the South Pacific with churches, Bible Society South Pacific hopes to bring about spiritual revival.

African Enterprise (AE) in both Kenya and Rwanda have adopted the Jesus. All About Life campaign in 2023, with hopes for a similar impact in their countries. Worryingly, AE Kenya have recognised that evangelism is no longer a

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priority for majority of believers and churches in Kenya. If this tendency is not slowed or stopped, it will result in very little or no growth of the church in Kenya. African Enterprise hopes that the JAAL campaign will challenge people to consider making a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives. “As individuals and communities continue to grapple with the disruptions brought about by COVID-19, the question of what life is all about is in many people’s hearts and minds. As Christians, we need to be strategic in sharing Jesus as the answer to this and other existential questions about life by the grace of God,” says Williams from AE Kenya. “We are hoping that the campaign will encourage Christian believers to hold on to Jesus in their lives and to practically live out their faith in Jesus Christ wherever God has placed them and bring others to him. The hope is that local churches will be empowered for on-going evangelism and discipleship outreach.”

In Rwanda, the African Enterprise team have similarly seen the potential of the campaign to reach into people’s lives, meet their relational and cultural needs, and challenge where their faith lies. Although it is 28 years since the genocide against Tusti happened in Rwanda, the scars are still noticeable among many Rwandans. “What I love about JAAL campaign is the goal to raise awareness of Jesus Christ and the relevance of his teaching in today's modern world, by mobilising Christian churches to re-engage with their local community,” says George, the Missions Director of AE Rwanda. He explains that in the language of Rwanda — in Kinyarwanda — the Jesus. All About life campaign is translated to be “KUBAHO NI YESU” — “To Live is Jesus”. “It is very interesting that many church leaders and Christian organisation we partner have embraced the campaign. And we love seeing many believers embracing the times of Easter by sharing the Gospel to their neighbours!”

“ This message is so relevant for people still coming out of the COVID period,” says Neels Janse van Rensburg, CEO of Bible Society New Zealand (BSNZ), who are running the Jesus. All About Life campaign as a part of their focus on ‘The Bible is life’ for 2023. BSNZ is also committed to resourcing churches with Bibles and Scripture resources. “The great thing about the JAAL resources offered is that they address adults, and children of all ages," says Neels.

“We want to empower churches, schools, and individuals to make the JAAL campaign their own with our support, with resources.” The campaign in New Zealand will reach a broad audience, Neels explains, with exposure through the BSNZ Group’s Manna retail stores, Christian radio media, and through BSNZ’s network of churches, individuals and schools. “We want to reach Christians outside the church, people on the margins,” Neels says. “COVID has crippled the church, yet at the same time people have become more searching. With the Bible, we can experience true life.”

Donate Today

could help distribute free Bible-based resources over Easter in the South Pacific.

could help provide access to biblical resources and theology books to Christians in Vietnam.

could help run a Bible Discipleship course in a prison in South Africa.

Words of life in times of darkness

We all find ourselves in challenging times and places with different seasons of life, yet of all the challenging places to be found, South African prisons are some of the hardest. Prisoners are living in darkness, with overcrowding, violence and inadequate access to healthcare, with the occupancy rate of prisons at 137.7%*. Although the overcrowding leads to daily physical suffering — worsened by gangrelated violence — the emotional and spiritual suffering of the inmates represents another world of darkness. Yet in this darkness, the light of God’s word is transforming lives.

Conrad lived in darkness his whole life. “I grew up in a small town in the Eastern Cape Province, where poverty and gangs are rife. I started

missing school at a young age and joined a local gang. I was also drinking and taking drugs. Soon, I got involved in crime, breaking into people’s houses and stealing. I was involved in a robbery and hijacking which led to my arrest.” In prison, Conrad continued walking in darkness. “I joined a gang and quickly rose through its ranks. We were organising stabbings of prison officials, taking them hostage and organising strikes.” When Conrad was transferred to another prison, he contracted tuberculosis and had to be hospitalised. It was there that the light began to break through the darkness.

Conrad received a Bible, donated by Bible Society and distributed through World Hope Ministries, along with access to the Bible Discipleship course. This changed Conrad’s life. “I started doing your

course and reading a Bible for the first time and every day. One day, as I was reading my Bible that I received from you, I recognised things I never saw or knew before. It was in my hospital bed that I gave my life to the Lord.” When Conrad returned to the housing section of the prison, he says, “I was a changed man. I started serving God.”

Many others have also moved from darkness to light, encountering God through his lifechanging and ever-relevant word. “I was a gangster,” says Jay. “I found myself empty, foolish and no direction. I regret my old life, even the group I used to hang around with.” The Bible Discipleship lessons were crucial for Jay. “These lessons gave me direction; reshape my life. I discovered my life from the word of God ... Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Bible became real in my life and gave me hope in a hopeless situation.” Jay is so thankful for his Bible, and for those who donated it. He says, “ You touched my life with the word of God.”

Behki’s life turned into a nightmare when he and his best friend were playing with guns. “I murdered my best friend,” he recalls. “I didn’t kill him intentionally; it was a mistake. I was living my life the way I liked, telling lies.” Things changed for Behki in prison, when he took the Bible Discipleship lessons. “I started to dwell in the word of Christ and started to share Christ with other people. The Bible means a lot to me because when I want to connect with God, I always read the Bible, and it helps when I research other Scriptures."

“My life was so empty, I never been happy,” says Zenzo. “There was something that was not there, but I did not know at that time what was short. I became selfish. I did not believe in anything, but only in myself.” Zenzo’s life was changed by the Bible Discipleship course. “After I became a child of God, I became happy because of the good news about Christ. Before, I didn’t know my purpose in this world but now I know. I know the truth

now and I am trying by all means to live by the word of God because it won’t make me stumble. Without the word of God, I will be lost. It always reminds me what to do and it comforts and encourages me.”

Edson’s story is similar to Zenzo’s. “My life before I’ve received Christ was a mess. I used to live like the world; doing all bad things.” His life changed because of his encounter with God’s word. “When I started studying the Bible Discipleship lessons, I became a light of the world and a light for everyone around me. I know that God so love the world and now I have received eternal life. I may suffer, but I suffer for doing what is right ... I also have confidence and hope that God will not leave me nor forsake me.”

Bible Society Australia is working with World Hope Ministries as they advocate for the Bible in the dark places of South Africa’s prisons, and especially in the darkness of prisoners’ hearts. “I started to forget the reason I was in prison because of the teachings and knowledge I received from the program; it gave me peace,” testifies Mvuzo Jack, who felt God’s presence as he attended the program. “The lessons have revived the Spirit of God in me.”

*According to the Department of Correctional Services' 2020/21 Annual Report.

Equipping, Empowering and Enabling Bible Advocacy work

The need has never been greater to advocate for the Bible, God’s eternal revelation of truth for humanity. Yet there are many countries around the world where Bible Societies struggle to maintain a core presence in their community and need help to continue to advocate for God’s word.

Each year, the United Bible Societies (UBS) ensures that Bible advocacy work can continue around the world, by supporting the core presence of Bible Societies in countries where support for the work is limited. UBS has an International

Support Programme, through which resources can be shared within the UBS Fellowship. Chris Melville, Head of Missions for Bible Society Australia (BSA) explains, “There are resourcing Bible Societies and implementing Bible Societies. Resourcing Bible Societies make it possible for implementing Bible Societies to carry out the mission work.” An example of this support work is the Solidarity Fund, into which resourcing Bible Societies contributed during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, enabling other Bible Societies to remain open. This Solidarity Fund work is ongoing.

In 2023 (As of March):

14 Bible Societies

(including Australia, the 4th biggest contributor) are supporting the core presence of other Bible Societies around the world.

$869 K (USD)

has been granted by the resourcing Bible Societies to build the capacity of implementing Bible Societies this year.

Grant Breakdown by Bible Societies in 2023

When it comes to the supporting Bible Advocacy work within the UBS Fellowship, Belinda Faulks, Missions Relationship and Project Manager for BSA, emphasises its importance. “We’re not interested in going in and doing the work for them, but we’re seeking to equip, empower and enable them to do it themselves. It’s up to Bible Societies who have the resources to help them, so they can advocate within their local context."

In Bible advocacy, three areas work together: Core Presence, Capacity Building and Advocacy. Belinda explains, “We meet each Bible Society where they’re at, and support their individual needs. When we work with Bible Society PNG, their areas of need are staffing, resources, internet

capabilities, and infrastructure. Bible Society South Pacific needed different things — a reliable vehicle for Bible distribution trips, laptops, and training. On the other hand, the Arab Israeli Bible Society are established in their advocacy work, but their funding is limited, so BSA meets their need for assistance to function, to maintain a core presence. In other countries like China and Vietnam, we directly support their advocacy projects. So, our support depends on the individual needs of implementing Bible Societies.”

Advocacy:

• The Bible Society and the first-ever Christian Library in Vietnam

• Bible Study Resources for Poor Preachers and Seminary Students in China

• Jesus. All About Life in Kenya

• Jesus. All About Life in Rwanda

Core Presence:

• Arab-Israeli Bible Society

• Preserving Bible Work in Ukraine

Capacity Building:

• UBS Literacy Advisors in Asia and the Pacific

• Global Literacy Coordination

• Literacy Capacity Building in Asia Pacific

In 2023, BSA is working to support the following projects in these areas:

“Please pray for those on the ground where it’s a lot harder than we experience here in Australia,” asks Chris, Head of Missions for BSA. “They are just surviving, trying to do God’s work, in dangerous situations. Give thanks to God that there are passionate people willing to make that sacrifice.”

BSA is committed to this work of advocating for the Bible. “Help us help them,” says Belinda, Missions Project manager for BSA, “so the Bible can be advocated for in these countries.”

Read more about these projects here: biblesociety.org.au/our-work

Words of Life, For All of Life

You can give the words of life to those seeking Jesus.

In every season of life, we all need God’s word. Will you help share God’s words of life to others around the world?

Your donation today will help provide resources and support to people in the South Pacific, Kenya, Rwanda, Israel, Vietnam, and South Africa to deepen their understanding and faith in Jesus.

Donate today at: biblesociety.org.au/sow

Arab-Israel

Thank God for the peace, security and hope that the Arab Israeli Bible Society (AIBS) offers in a region plagued by war and division. Thank God for Ola, a mother who participated in a Bible Society family conference. “The blessing was great … I received a lot of help and learned new methods and tools to help my kids. I was able to share with my teenage son some of the things I learned. My conversation with him led me to ask forgiveness for the setbacks that I caused as a parent. He was encouraged and put for himself some goals to walk closer with and to the Lord.”

Jordan

Thank God for Bible Society’s work in Jordan among refugees, providing both Bibles and practical care. Pray that every refugee will find Jesus, the source of real strength, amidst the hardships they are undergoing. Please also pray for emotional and physical protection for the volunteers who are in direct contact with suffering families, and for strength as they offer helping hands and listening ears.

Kenya & Rwanda

Thank God that BSA can partner with African Enterprise to run the Jesus. All About Life campaign in Kenya and Rwanda this Easter. Please pray that many Christians would be encouraged and challenged to deepen their faith and share Jesus with others. Pray that the campaign brings healing for Rwandans who have experienced trauma, and that the campaign brings a message of forgiveness, hope, faith, and a new chapter for a better future.

South Africa

Thank God that BSA can partner with World Hope Ministries in prisons. Pray that more lives would be changed through this program, as prisoners are given the opportunity to know the forgiveness and mercy of Christ. Thank God that for many, their hope has been restored in God, in man, and in themselves. Pray for those who have begun to seek restoration with their families.

Vietnam

Thank God for the Chrisitan Library established in Ho Chi Minh City. Please pray that it can be made locally sufficient by 2024. Pray that this year, Bible Society Vietnam can grow the library’s capacity for Bible engagement and Bible advocacy.

Help bring hope to those suffering in Türkiye and Syria

The aftermath of the earthquake in Syria and Türkiye

Two major earthquakes struck central Türkiye and northwest Syria in February, with a devastating impact.

“We did not feel the earthquake in Istanbul, but we … feel their pain closely,” says Tamar, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Türkiye, who are working with churches and Christian charities to care for survivors of the disaster.

The Bible Society team in Syria is continuing their longstanding trauma healing program, equipping churches to support people in their communities dealing with trauma.

“Many might think that Jesus has forgotten about us, but he hasn't,” says George, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Syria. “He is right here! … I see Jesus sitting down with the ones who cannot walk the streets any longer. I see Jesus sitting with the children in our churches that have opened their doors wide open. I see Jesus carry the sick and the wounded. He is certainly alive in Aleppo these days.”

Impact of the earthquake and Bible Society’s emergency project

• >13.5 million people live in the area affected and +46,000 people killed in the earthquake

• In Syria, Bible Society aims to equip 200 new leaders and facilitate trauma-healing therapies to impact 6,000 people.

• Bible Society in Türkiye is collaborating with churches to provide practical aid and Scripture resources to the victims.

To find out more, visit biblesociety.org.au/response

Good News for the Tay people of Vietnam

10 years of translation work has paid off for this minority language group.

The Christian Tay community in Vietnam have longed for a Bible in their heart language for many years.

This past November, the first 1,000 Tay language Bibles were dedicated — Opening The Bible to Vietnam’s second largest ethnic group.

This Bible is the answer to the prayers of many that the Tay will receive the Good News.

The translation is clear, simple, and natural to most Tay readers and can be understood by Tay people of all ages. It contains footnotes to help readers make sense of theological and abstract words.

“Having a Bible in the Tay language will not only quench the thirst for God’s word in the Tay community but also help preserve the fading presence of this language,” says Quan of Bible Society Vietnam.

Reaching the unreached

• 1.8 million Tay people live across Vietnam

• Only 1% of this minority group is Christian

Learn more about this exciting Bible project at biblesociety.org.au/blog

DESPITE NUMBERS FALLING AWAY, CORE CHRISTIANITY WILL CONTINUE

Barney Zwartz

Published in The Age Australia, 10 July 2022

In 2015, British magazine The Spectator predicted that if Christianity kept declining at the rate of the previous decade, the faith would disappear from that nation in 2067. That decline will continue, but it is a “trick” statistic because, however diminished, Christianity too will continue.

News from the 2021 Australian Census that the number of people identifying as Christian has dropped by a huge 8 per cent, from 52 to 44, should be devastating for people of faith. But it’s not, despite the glee of some secularists and atheists.

There are two obvious points. First, the vast majority of those leaving were not committed believers but had a merely cultural attachment – they might have gone to Sunday school or remembered the faith of their grandparents. As this cultural accretion falls away, numbers will drop further. But core Christianity continues.

The second point is that relatively few of the non-religious are secularists or atheists. We don’t yet have full figures for the 2021 Census, but in 2011, when 6 million Australians claimed no religion, only 59,000 identified as atheists. There were more Jedi knights. Research by the National Church Life Survey shows that by far the most hostility to Christianity comes from people aged 50 to 65 – as director Dr Ruth Powell observes, the people who hold the microphones right now. NCLS research suggests that only 21 per cent of Australians go to church at least once a month – but that figure rises to 32 per cent among 18 to 35-year-olds. The NCLS Australian Community Survey last November – a more nuanced approach than the tribal identity uncovered by the Census, according to Powell –found 55 per cent of Australians say they believe in God and six in 10 pray or meditate.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Generation Z Study from Monash, ANU and Deakin found that 52 per cent of Australian teens don’t identify with a religion – but 67 per cent believe in God or a higher being.

Find out more about CPX at: publicchristianity.org.au

If Australia parallels the US, only 12 per cent of those professing no religion say they are philosophical secularists; that is, atheists/ secular humanists. Of the rest, 54 per cent are simply indifferent and 17 per cent each are spiritual eclectics and believers who do not affiliate with any denomination.

What this does mean – and has for a long time – is that Christians realise they have no particular authority and must argue their positions in the public square like anyone else, which should certainly improve their standard.

In his Short History of Christianity, Geoffrey Blainey suggests that rather than dying out, Christianity is set to keep evolving and moving, declining and re-emerging, just as it always has.

It’s a faith that has repeatedly reinvented itself, and while no revival is permanent, neither has been any decline.

Barney Zwartz is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX). This article is an example of the regular work of CPX.

Faith Stories

Caroline's story is part of Eternity’s Faith Stories series, compiled by Naomi Reed.

“We always went to church, growing up, so I knew that Jesus was important. But the rubber hit the road when I moved out of home, at 18 – the day after I finished my HSC. I moved from Oberon [in the NSW central tablelands] to Sydney, to work in hospitality at the Regent Hotel, and I had to reconsider everything.

Working at the hotel meant I couldn’t consistently go to church on Sundays. Could I be a Christian and work on Sundays? My new flatmate went to a church in Gladesville [in northern Sydney] and she invited me. Early on, they were advertising an ‘Introduction to the Bible’ course. It was midweek and I could be involved! Before going to the course, I had never understood

‘I BEGAN TO LOSE MY EYESIGHT WHEN I WAS 16 …’

that the Old Testament was linked to the New Testament. It was amazing! Jesus was God’s answer, his amazing plan from the very beginning, even in Genesis! At the same time, I realised that being a Christian was all about having a relationship with Jesus, which was new and wonderful.

Before that, when I was 16, I began to lose my eyesight. My optometrist kept giving me stronger glasses but they didn’t help. I actually failed my HSC because I couldn’t see. But being in Sydney meant I had access to more tests and I was soon diagnosed with a form of Multiple Sclerosis. It made work quite tricky. While I was waitressing, I held the menus close to me so that I could see them, but it wasn’t the posture required in a restaurant, and I left that job. I got work elsewhere, which was great, but again I couldn’t see the finer details.

I think all the trickiness and rejection (from not doing things the expected way) meant I had to rely deeply on God. I had to seek God and his guidance. He provided for me so richly, especially through people at church – doing Bible study with them and growing in the knowledge of his word. It awakened my desire to get to know Jesus more and more.

When I was 21, I moved from Sydney to Bathurst, to work in admin at Charles Sturt Uni. While I was there, I realised I could actually go to uni! The university would support me. I did my teaching degree – another provision of God. I also met and married my husband, and we moved to Orange and got involved in a wonderful church there which consolidated our faith. When our first child was born, I lost my driver’s license (due to my eyesight), but we were able to buy a house near the centre of town.

to read to me, when I couldn’t see. I also use taxis a lot. All the taxi drivers know me and my values. It’s unexpected, but I’ve had some amazing conversations with taxi drivers! Also, there’s a professor right here in Orange who specialises in MS and I’ve been able to have the latest treatments, which has slowed the progression of the disease.

Being blind is hard … but knowing that God is with me, holding my hand every step of the way, makes all the difference. It’s humbling. I’ve had to learn to ask for help when I used to be a super-independent person. Even when I invite friends or neighbours to our church events, I have to ask them for a lift. But amazingly, God is at work. Recently, I invited my physio to a life course we’re running at church and she said, ‘That’d be great. Can I pick you up?’

I think when you’re open to God using you, he will. I’ve always wanted to serve God with everything I have and I can see how much he’s blessed me. Nowadays, I teach at a school three days a week, including a visually impaired child, as well as two classes of Religious Education. God enables and provides!

One of my favourite verses is in Philippians

4:6-7: “But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I think it’s amazing that God listens to us, even when we’re not eloquent at all. He always has us in his hands.”

And I’ve loved the gift of being a mum! From a very young age, my children have been able

Lives Worthy of Our Calling

“In Ephesians 1-3, Paul paints an amazing picture of what God has done for us in Christ. He follows this with a beautiful portrait of how we can live in a manner worthy of our calling.”

Reverend Natalie Rosner is an Associate Minister at St Jude’s Anglican Church, Carlton.

Day 1

‘As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.’ Ephesians 4:1 NIV

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul has been unfolding the big picture of God’s plan of salvation for the whole world. This picture is one of redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins. It’s a picture of being made alive in Christ even while we were dead in transgressions. It’s a magnificent picture of God’s generosity towards us in Christ. And after painting this picture, Paul now goes on in chapter 4 to urge us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for salvation in Christ. Help me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received. Amen.

Day 2

‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ Ephesians 4:2 NIV

As Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, we might wonder what

that entails. Perhaps it feels like it’s a big call, something a bit beyond us. Perhaps it’s also then somewhat surprising to read verse 2. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Bearing with one another in love. If you were to describe our society, my suspicion is that none of these words would feature. They’re words that are challenging to live. Words in fact, that can only be lived as we trust God to shape us into the new humanity he has made us to be, in Christ. And they’re words that can transform our relationships and our world.

Heavenly Father, humility, gentleness, patience and tolerance don’t come naturally to me. Please grow these qualities in me. Amen.

Day 3

‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.’ Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV

Unity among Christians is important! This unity is grounded in the Trinity – there is ‘one Spirit’,

‘one Lord’ i.e., Jesus and ‘one God and Father of all’. The remaining unities refer to our experience of the Christian life. There is one body because there is one Spirit (v4). In Christ, we are called to one hope, one faith and one baptism (vs 4-5). And we belong to one family because we have one God and Father (v6).

This unity is a truth that Paul asserts. But it is also something that Christians are to strive for.

Father, Son and Spirit, thank you that you are perfect in unity. Please bring unity in your church today. Amen.

Day 4

'But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”’ Ephesians

4:7-8 NIV

Christ gives ‘gifts to his people’ in fulfilment of Psalm 68:18. After using the word ‘one’ seven times in verses 4 – 6 to emphasise the unity of Christian people in the body of Christ, Paul now indicates that Christ gives us the gifts that he wants us to have. We are all given different gifts so our unity as Christians is not uniformity, but rather is also marked by diversity. In 1 Corinthians 12, such gifts are distributed by the Spirit and in Romans 12 by God to his people. So, this giving of gifts is a beautiful reminder of the Trinity – Father, Son and Spirit together involved in giving us gifts for the good of the body.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your abundant grace in giving us undeserved gifts. Amen.

Day 5

'So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ Ephesians 4:1113 NIV

How do we live as ‘one body’ when we are all very different individuals? These verses tell us that the answer to this conundrum is by using the gifts that Christ has given us in the way that he intends. Verses 11 – 13 give us a kind of ‘flow chart’ of diversity and unity. Christ gives a variety of leadership and teaching gifts (v11), so that leaders and teachers use their gifts to equip all members of the church to serve in a variety of ways using their own gifts (v12). The result of this equipping is that the whole body of Christ is built up (v12) until we all reach Christian unity and Christian maturity (v13).

Lord Jesus, thank you that you gift us the leaders we need so that all are equipped for works of service for the building up of your body. Please build us and bring us to unity and maturity in Christ. Amen.

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