'Ordinary faithfulness'

Every generation of Christians is tempted by causes. Ours is no different. We long for something to rally around, whether it is a campaign or a crisis. Something that will lift us out of the mundane of ordinary obedience and give us the sense that we are finally "doing something big for God."

It explains why sometimes Christians can mobilise more quickly around political slogans than around the basic command to love our neighbour. Or why our churches get excited about national campaigns rather than meeting a fellow Christian for prayer over a cup of tea.

Back in Biblical times

This is nothing new, of course. The crowds who followed Jesus were often desperate for something exciting. They wanted a kingdom, but on their terms. Something dramatic, public, decisive, and victorious.