It has been a long while since I watched the Apprentice but this week I found myself watching the end of an episode. It wasn’t long before I realised why I don’t watch it!

Three contestants were meant to be partners in making a new biscuit but it hadn’t been a success and in the Boardroom they each defended themselves and blamed the other two for the failure of this venture. The values of the Apprentice meant that no one had to be seen to be weak, or at fault, or to blame and consequently they laid into each other in order to try and save themselves.

In my ‘quiet times’ I have been reflecting on the cross of Christ. The values of Jesus stand in sharp contrast to the values expounded and encouraged in the Apprentice. Jesus patiently and graciously worked with His 12 disciples even though they constantly misunderstood Him. Not one of them got ‘fired’ even though there could have been justification in many people’s eyes. Even when the disciples misrepresented Jesus through their behaviour, actions and speech, He would rebuke, but always with a view to encourage them.  With Jesus no-one is ever worthless or useless. Grace, love, kindness, forgiveness and gentleness exuded from Jesus.

We live in a world that needs to see the character of Jesus in His disciples and to see lived out the values He reflected. These will not always be accepted or appreciated by the general population, but our calling is to point others to Christ. Join with me in offering an alternative lifestyle and an alternative message.

Adrian Argile