Still There Is No Alternative

'There Is No Alternative' is an acrostic for my name (which explains the apparent misuse of capitals). Back in November 2020, I wrote about why I chose this title for my blog, and having recently spoken of it in a radio interview, an update seems due.

T.I.N.A. is at once about me and not really about me. These posts explore my experiences, and present my thoughts and perspectives, but they point beyond me. I'm sure many could offer constructive feedback on aspects of my life and what I write here; there are plenty of other ways to look at the world, and I don't for a moment claim to have it all worked out. However, for my whole adult life, I've been pursuing a way of life that is more compelling than anything else I've ever seen or heard of.

I seek to give my whole self to God, because to me that's the only reasonable response to God's self-giving in Jesus Christ. No summary feels adequate, really, but I'll give it a go. Our Creator came to us in the person of Jesus, taking on our humanity—that alone is a staggering claim! Through both human pride and passivity, Jesus was despised, rejected, and executed, but in this, he willingly became the sacrifice that made possible our 'at-one-ment' with God. The Spirit of God then raised Jesus from the dead, defeating evil and proving that Jesus is all he claimed to be. After showing himself to his bewildered followers (and restoring those who had disowned and doubted him), Jesus then returned to God the Father, and sent that same Holy Spirit to empower all who believe in him to tell everyone, everywhere, this amazing news (including that he'll one day come back to put everything right), and to love one another and the world.

To receive this good news is truly life-transforming. I learned about it as a child, but it was when I was 18 that I began to long for more of God, and to recognise God's call to give my whole life to his purposes. To belong wholly to God leads to decisions and commitments that may seem crackers, as the response to that general sense of call takes shape in particular ways. For me, in the last few years that has meant putting study, and volunteering in pastoral ministry, before my nursing career. It would be so much easier to prioritise comfort, earn a regular salary, drive a better car, take more days off. Sometimes I have felt like quitting, but where would that leave me?

This way of life makes me materially poorer but truly richer. It can be exhausting, but is more exhilarating than any other adventure. I may sometimes be misunderstood, but I know that God sees what motivates me, and that ultimately it's the Holy Spirit who enables me to persevere. I wonder what I might write in a post like this when I'm another 20+ years older. . . I trust that I'll have learnt much more about God, myself, and the world, and grown in confidence that God will see me though whatever he leads me into—and even use all the challenges that I meet along the journey.

This blog, then, is a way of sharing some of my experience in the hope that it will encourage and inspire others. I write about ups and downs, questions and reflections, and how I understand God to be at work throughout. Whether you're a regular reader or new here, I hope you'll come back (subscribing is best—see below), but more importantly, I pray that you too will put your trust in Jesus, and be compelled to pursue the wonderful God who made us and has such good purposes for us.⬦

Here's the link to the 'Why There Is No Alternative' post from 21/11/20:

https://mrswoofy.blogspot.com/2020/11/why-there-is-no-alternative.html

⬦ If you enjoy reading this blog, you can subscribe using the form in the side bar. Or email me on ThereIsNoAlternative.blog@gmail.com and I'll sign you up. Your email address won't go anywhere else and I am not a prolific blogger! ⬦ Please feel free to share with others, whether on social media or one-to-one. ⬦