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Australians all... let us rejoice...

26th January 2009

Do you love to stand up on Australia Day, with your blue bonds singlet on, your thongs on your feet, a meat pie in one hand and a lamington in the other, and you raise your voice and sing together:

"Australians all, let us rejoice, for we are young and free..."

But wait, are we all on the same page here? Are we all rejoicing together? Are we all free? There are many Australians who will not be rejoicing this Australia day. There will be others too who do not feel free and happy that they are Australians. Many of our nation's population live in fear, oppression and sorrow, and while we have a great celebration of a nation that is wonderful (and it is wonderful) we must remember those who don't have a lot to celebrate too...

The homeless, the marginalised, the beaten and abused, the addicts, the prisoners, and those who feel lost and alone. Australia Day is a great opportunity to show some of that great Aussie spirit and reach out to those who need a mates hand. It's also important to show them Christ-like love too...

1 John 4:7 to 21 talks about Gods perfect love for us. It also says that if we say we love God, then we must love our brother (verses 12 & 22). John also has a warning; "If anyone says, "I love God", yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." (verse 20) And our brother means everyone, including those who we would normally class "unlovable" because of their background, ethnicity, history and actions.

I also think of our Indigenous Aboriginal brothers and sisters on Australia Day. Sadly, they call January 26 their "Invasion Day"; the day they lost their independence. They need to see and feel Christ like love from us. Reconciliation is a two way street; it is one thing to say sorry, and another thing to say we love them and have them say they forgive us. "There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear..." 1 John 4:18a

Make this Australia Day mean something significant - not just another reason to have a party. Ask God how you can show more than Aussie mate-ship on the 26th January. Ask God how you can show true Christ-like love to your fellow Aussies - all of them.

Ciao for now... Roscoe