Viewpoint

I passed a new development at the beach in Cronulla the other day with an advertisement out the front. Advertising often makes some bold statements but this seemed to make an incredible claim.

The sign said, "Destiny fulfilled".

These were an attractive set of apartments. Great view over the ocean, ten minutes walk from the cafes of Cronulla, across the road from beautiful Wanda beach, but my destiny fulfilled?

Sadly though, the sign would actually speak to plenty of people. This would be their destiny fulfilled. A water view is the goal for many people. Work, strive, save, invest and eventually you'll reach the goal, a view of a stretch of the harbour or the ocean. Recently we have been reflecting in our Sunday services about how God calls us `up'. Part of being called up is to recognise that all we have, our gifts, our time and our material resources are from God and they belong to Him. This is what the word steward means. Looking after what another owns. As Joseph was the steward of all Potiphar owned, so we are stewards of what God owns.

The distraction is that we begin to see possessions and accumulation as our destiny. We begin to take ownership of our possessions rather then being `careless' as Marc encouraged us. Remember that is the positive term of `caring less' rather than a slack approach to life and our material needs.

Water views and apartments by the beach are wonderful things but our destiny?

• I believe that as a church our destiny is to make the world a better place.

• Our destiny is to enhance the lives of the people around us and our communities.

• Our destiny is about caring for loved ones and strangers alike.

• Our theme of being `Called Up' is to find our destiny as individuals and as a church in serving God, not ourselves.

Reprinted with kind permission of Gymea Baptist Church "The Brick"