How can we live well in a world worth living in? This is the question I was left with on hearing renowned Australian journalist, Wiradjuri man, Stan Grant’s recent speech. Grant spoke at St Peter’s College last Wednesday night. It is worth watching. As reported this week, Grant stepped away from the media now moving to an academic role with Monash University. 

“Yindyamarra Winhanganha” is a Wiradjuri philosophy Grant lives by. It means “the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in”. Grant reflected on how he is responding with Yindyamarra to the public and media attack experiences. He recognised he had a part to play in the problem, that “I am not just responsible for what I do, but for what you do”. He shared that a world worth living in requires justice and truth, respect, kindness, and love, even for our enemies. Grant spoke of how Jesus on the cross, forgiving his enemies, shows us this way. Grant shared humbly, deeply, reverently. I found it powerful and moving. 

All sides of any disagreement can become so divisive, there can be no reconciliation. We can battle so hard, so fiercely, the world we love is left shattered. Surely Grant is right. Our vision for a better world means our behaviour will be better, now. As the Apostle Paul wrote: 

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”

Phil 1:27 (NIV)

In my words, hope for heaven and live as its citizen now. How will we live well in a world worth living in? It is an essential question for our challenging, and adversarial times.

In Him, 

Jason 

Photo by Elijah Hiett on Unsplash