The Apprentice - 29th June 2007

This is a slightly different take on reality TV with 12 people vying for a job with Alan Sugar. To them, Alan Sugar is God, they hang on every word he says and try to please him with the things they do in the hope that he will appoint them ‘The Apprentice’. Alan could not be described as the most compassionate of people, and has a penchant for telling people “you’re fired!’ Each contestant has to justify their existence and team leaders have to provide ‘feedback’ on team member’s performance – not always constructive or helpful.

So why do people watch this - yet again, it’s an interesting example of people interacting and all aiming at one prize. There is the usual bitchiness, gossip and savagery that goes with these things and there haven’t been many who have sought to elevate themselves above this and take the morale high ground. That said, at times, it makes for entertaining TV.

The contrast between this programme and what we as Christians are challenged to do is that we have a compassionate and caring God who forgives us when we make mistakes and tries to help us. At no point do we see Alan Sugar putting a comforting arm round one of the contestants and provide fatherly advice, forgiveness is not in evidence – it is a dog eat dog environment and those who are sensitive, weak willed or not tough enough are pretty soon found out. What a contrast.

Let us revel in the fact we have a compassionate and loving Father, it’s not an excuse for bad behaviour because God is soft – far from it, but it is an environment where we are safe and we know that we are loved, how fantastic!

So today, revel in the closeness of God’s love for you.

Have a good weekend.