The shift exist in the re-working and working-out of these values. I find myself having different threds of conversation or no threads of conversation at all. And needless to say that within these dry times of meaningful conversing, exist a pleasent surprise of true conversation between two strangers. The different culture and different values offer a breathable moment to look at the internal dialogue where the true test of values find meaning. The time presents itself as an opportunity for authentic values to once again be tested and find rooting in the depths that have long existed.
Once a stranger ask 'what do you do for a living?' What they really ask is 'what are you about? What do you find worth in?' These simple questions give brief moments of reflection to actually think of not some well crafted answer- in other words putting your best foot forward, rather they ask to see if you are authentic, honest, someone they can open up to and share their honesty that begs to be told.
It is in the physical speaking of words that give fresh breath and hope to a world that demands the attention of 'I' rather than 'we'. It is in the 'we' that 'personal holiness becomes global holiness'.
Global holiness is where Wright focuses the working out of the redemption of Christ. The 'global holiness' is achieved when our personal holiness intersects with those things we can battle against-child slavery, child prostitution, ruthless dictatorship. The danger exist, to quote Wright 'we become heavenly minded that we are no earthly good' and to further quote Wright [and thought for a long time] 'we become so good on earth we forget heaven' but if we hold true to the thought that heaven and earth are separated then we miss the point that redemption only occurs when heaven and earth intersect. If we believe the mesage of Paul and furthermore the message of Jesus, we have to buy into the thought that God is present in the here and now and not in the 'over there'. If we beliver that Christ truly is the firstfruit of the final redemption then we need to re-work and work-out the values we have long held onto and refine them in the midst of life change. It is in the internal dialogue, the common questions we ask and are asked that provide ample opportunity for the birthing thought that redemption is a surprised by hope moment.
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