My Beer
Jesus is my beer
Being an Aussie male immersed in my culture, enjoying sport and camping and nights out with my mates I have made a blatantly obvious observation. I have become aware of a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
For many Aussie males he is a constant companion. We take him to dinner; he joins us on nights out, indeed he is often the life of every party. Some refuse to attend events in which he will be absent. He is always present at our sporting occasions. And he is warmly welcome at backyard barbies, often carried around in a game of backyard cricket.
He is a big part of my tennis group on a Thursday night and particularly makes his presence known at the end of year function.
I am, of course, referring to beer.
It’s so ingrained in our culture that young men and many women believe it to be a rite of passage. As the recent ‘Canadian Club’ add so cleverly expresses; “I though beer was compulsory.”
So for me, Jesus is my beer.
He is the one who gives me comfort and support when I need it. He is with me at all times and he truly is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He is the one who makes me feel good. And unlike beer, the more I have the better I feel.
And like beer, I can do it on my own, but the experience is better in company.
Jesus connects me to a community of like-minded people where I can relax and grow closer to Him and them.
Furthermore after a night with Jesus I am not going to end up with a headache or a punch in the head.
Mark Grieve is the Assistant Chaplain at The Illawarra Grammar School.