Motive: Stefanie Bahlinger
Interpretation text: Renate Karnstein
The motto for 2025
Test everything and hold fast to what is good! 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (E)
Renate Karnstein’s interpretation of the Bahlinger motif:
The apostle Paul writes a letter to the young church he founded in Thessalonica. He is worried because it is exposed to many influences and hostilities:
Test everything and keep what is good!
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (E)
We make decisions every day. Smaller ones usually unconsciously, larger ones only after careful consideration. And yet a residue of uncertainty often remains. We do not always know whether a decision was right or wrong. And after all, it is a matter of opinion, isn't it? I cannot and do not want to simply accept what others think is right and good. This means that my views, my faith and the way I live it are constantly being put to the test. By myself and by others. Also by God, who cares that my faith and my relationship with him do not become rigid but remain alive. And the question always arises about what cannot be given up, about the reliable foundation that gives me support. In life and in death. Could this not be exactly what Paul meant with "Test everything and keep what is good!"?
The artist Stefanie Bahlinger compares this testing process to a sieving process. Some stones lie on the sieve bottom, others have fallen through. Some shimmer like gemstones; many of the greyish-black ones have already fallen through the grid bottom.
“Test everything and keep what is good!” means not being afraid of new and unfamiliar things and then letting them fall through the cracks too quickly. It encourages us to look at everything first, examine it carefully and keep talking to each other. Immediately before “Test everything and keep what is good!” Paul writes:
See to it that no one repays evil for evil, but always pursue what is good for one another and for everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecy. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-20)
Seen in this way , "Test everything and keep what is good!" can mean asking again and again about God's will, letting yourself be shaped and guided by it. It is usually not as easy as in the graphic, where gemstones stand out clearly from the others. Paul names a few behaviors that correspond to God's will and serve the good. The colorful gemstones can mean different things. Some: Do not repay in kind if you think someone wants to harm you. Take the first step out of the destructive vicious circle. Others: Bless those who put obstacles in your way and wish them good. Still others: Radiate joy and confidence when courage and hope are waning. Being a Christian does not mean painting and seeing everything in black. Then there are the prayers: There is nothing that you cannot bring before God. At any time, day and night. Finally: Realize that you have been given a gift and that you are not being neglected. Why is it so much easier to talk about shortcomings than about good things? Why do negative things take hold more quickly than positive things? Perhaps that is why we find the call to be grateful so often in the Bible. Psalms also invite us to pray them when we are pessimistic and lack the right words. The Holy Spirit gives us these when we give him space in our lives. He is the driving, sorting and purifying force that brings movement into the picture, indicated by the circles around the edge of the sieve.
A golden cross stretches around him. That is what it is about. Not the shape, size, texture of the sieve or density of the grid floor. These are as different as people themselves. The cross makes the difference. Is it visible in our lives? Which does not mean that we have to shine and be perfect. "Test everything and keep what is good!" has nothing to do with self-optimization and a life that is secure on all sides. God's spirit brings life and gives us the freedom to discover where our place is, where we have to take responsibility and where there are screws in our lives that need to be turned. In trust that Jesus will stand by us and become visible through us even when we make wrong decisions or fail to provide answers. Even when we forget him along certain stretches of the road or do not expect him to guide us and want the best for us.
"Test everything and keep what is good!" I hope that those around me experience my Christianity in such a way that my faith is never finished, but remains alive. By constantly opening up space for me, I rediscover new and old things and dare to question rigid positions. I want to share this with others and keep talking to them about how and why I made and still make certain decisions. Above all, they should discover for themselves that faith provides support in life and in death.
In the graphic, the broken golden lines end in a crown that God has prepared for all who trust in him. Could the crown not also be an indication that when we examine and keep what is good, the question ultimately comes down to: does it serve to give glory to God alone?
Triune God,
I would love to give you the honor alone,
give you glory in everything.
But many things prevent me from doing so.
Most likely my forgetfulness of God.
If I don’t expect my life to count for you,
my often inconspicuous actions are valued by you.
So worthy that it will serve you honor,
can make you great.
To be honest, I often find myself
wanting to shine and make it big.
Not even that can stop you from standing by me.
Thank you for helping me sort out the everyday madness
and are close to me when important decisions have to be made.
Thank you for giving me guidance where I am unsure,
and calmness when something goes wrong.
You set my feet on a broad place.
You are the solid ground on which I stand safely.
To you alone the honor!
Amen.
Renate Karnstein
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