Category Archives: the life of faith

to walk humbly, living with mystery

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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

(Rom 5.1-5)

Who would true valour see, let him come hither;

One here will constant be, come wind, come weather;

There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent his first avowed intent, to be a pilgrim.

Whoso beset him round with dismal stories,

Do but themselves confound; his strength the more is.

No lion can him fright, he’ll with a giant fight, but he will have a right to be a pilgrim.

Hobgoblin nor foul fiend can daunt his spirit;

He knows he at the end shall life inherit.

Then fancies fly away; he’ll fear not what men say; he’ll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.

(John Bunyan. 1628-88)

I mentioned recently that I am studying the book of Romans with a local group, this week reaching chapter 5.. and I am feeling a little apologetic for enthusing so strongly and telling you all to go and read it for yourselves, as I have found myself floundering in the complexity of Paul’s arguments, increasingly bewildered and slightly panicked!

The verses which I quote here were read at my father’s funeral, and I recall at the time wondering why that text had been chosen, but having spent a good deal of time recently trying to unpack them, I am beginning to see a reason. The chapter opens, as with an open door before the believer, revealing the glorious prospect which is life with Christ as a believer, one whom God has declared righteous in His sight. And I believe that these words encapsulate my father’s life as a believer – he came to faith as a student, and spent the rest of his life living in loving loyalty to the Lord who had transformed him.

My father was a man of peace, and of rejoicing – twin fruits that come from the fact of being made right with God through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus. He was a man who persevered through difficulties, strengthened and sustained by faith and hope, and whose character was purified, tested and verified by those experiences. When the cancer which clouded his last years returned with a terminal diagnosis, it was crystal clear just how that character had been transformed into a pure dependence upon God’s faithfulness. My father’s hope was stronger in his last days than it had ever been, and his acceptance of God’s providence in ordaining his death in that way and at that time was complete. That acceptance was a rock for our family as we prepared to say farewell to him.

It is my father’s example which I desire to follow as I enter my later years – growing in perseverance, increasingly purified and refined by it so that my character becomes more Christ-like and glorifying to God; and also humbly recognising my own human limitations in terms of both physical and also mental scope and strength. I believe that the centre of our faith is actually a great mystery, and that while some of the finest minds have wrestled to unpick and systematise what happened, and how it all works, yet still no human mind can fully penetrate the depth of the mystery, nor encompass the breadth of its work. And I pray for the grace to accept those limitations, and to hold fast to what I can understand and know – since as well as being deeply mysterious, the gospel is actually very simple and readily apprehended! I want to be more preoccupied by the lived business of trusting my Heavenly Father day-by-day, than with the theological niceties of the multiple facets of God’s work in Christ in redemption. The latter are not unimportant, it is from the accomplished facts of justification and adoption as God’s child that my new life springs and by them is maintained, but if I find myself so deeply enmeshed in complicated explorations that I neglect kindness, love, peace-making, service, patience and all God’s calling on my life, then I am wasting my time. It is not for nothing that the writers of the epistles to the churches regularly warned them against getting bogged down in complicated discussions of doctrine, instead of getting on with loving their neighbours and witnessing to Christ!

Our bible study group agreed wholeheartedly that we desire a simplicity in our lives of faith – a plain dependence upon plain facts, so that we may rest in God and not fret over exactly how it all works! After all, most of us drive around quite happily without trying to understand how our cars work… May the Lord have mercy upon us, and keep us focussed on living close to him, sitting lightly to intellectual entanglements which may render us inactive in his service.

There’s a wideness in your mercy Lord, as wide as the boundless ocean; there’s a kindness in your justice which is richer than liberty.

There is nowhere like heaven for a full appreciation of our earthly sorrows, and it is there that our failings are most kindly judged.

Your love, our God, is so much broader than our narrow minds; and your eternal heart of love is most wonderfully kind.

The blood shed in redemption will suffice for all who will accept it, and we rejoice as members of Christ’s body, because his sorrows have delivered us into your grace.

O Lord, let our love be simple; let us take you at your word, then our lives will be increasingly filled with the glory which is yours, overflowing abundantly from you to us in Christ. Amen

(paraphrase of a hymn by FW Faber, 1814-63 – “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy)

A Way of Life…not a rule-book.

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The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy… And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

(Isa 35.1&2,9&10)

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

(Mk 1.16&17; 2.13&14)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.”

(Jn 14.6)

Our hope for salvation rests entirely upon the finished work of Jesus, and the outpouring of grace which that represents. If ever we are tempted to think that our lives have somehow earned favour from God, we have fallen into error and the bondage of rule keeping again. BUT there is a place for our good works, our good habits, our aspirations to do and be better! These are not the means by which we approach salvation – not the road to the Cross – rather they are the result of the Cross! It is because we have been so deeply loved, so powerfully made alive in Christ, that we find the Holy Spirit working in us to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and so many other fruit. It is because of the Spirit that we even desire these things!

I believe that, in the same way that an athlete organises their entire life around the goal of excelling in their chosen sport, or a musician in their particular field, so also the follower of Jesus can make choices about their lives which will tend to support and enable spiritual maturity, transformation and fruitfulness. These things can be described as a Rule of Life, but given the negativity attached to ‘rules’, it is perhaps better to think of rhythms or habits of life, which will both support and flow out of a growing and living faith.

We want to be disciples of Jesus; we are called to be disciples! We are summoned, as were Levi, Andrew and Peter, to follow him, to be with him, to learn by doing and sharing life together with our Lord and the community of believers. The enemy of our souls is continually at work to distract, draw us away, disempower us, and uses all means in his power to do so. If we do not deliberately cultivate godly habits, making ourselves harder for the enemy to reach, then we will assuredly be conformed to his ways, and will miss all that God desires for us. In the same way that an apple tree can be trained to a particular way of growing – eg against a wall, with parallel horizontal branches – so also the ‘rules’ or rythmns which we speak of in relation to our lives as followers of Jesus are a means of training, helping us to go where ultimately we want to go of our own accord and free will – which we will do as the Spirit transforms us into Christ’s likeness. We are the trees, and our godly habits and disciplines are the trellis or training structure to which we commit ourselves in faith and trust in God’s power to transform us.

We don’t follow rules in order to be saved… we are saved, and in loving gratitude, humble submission and eager partnership with God’s spirit, we are led into a life where every aspect is touched and changed, resulting in habits and qualities which reflect our saviour. The way of life commended to us in scripture is not a book of rules to be fearfully kept, but a guidebook, an indicator and aid to our training in righteousness and growing sanctification. Isaiah describes it as a way which is full of life and joy – even in the midst of a desert – because the Lord is with his people and gives them life and eternal hope.

Heavenly Father, I rejoice today in your grace which has brought me from death in sin, to life in Christ. I rejoice to know that I live by your Spirit from day to day, and that your plans for me are good. Let me submit joyfully to all that it means to follow Jesus; let me grow in wisdom and self-control, discerning those things which will put me in the right place to work with your Spirit and not resist or suppress his transforming power. Show me what it looks like in this season of my life to follow Jesus, to be with him, to grow in likeness to him, and let me not hold back from the Way which is laid before me – for my blessing and for your glory I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is this ok Lord?

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But, because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –… it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Eph 2.4, 5&8-10)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(Heb 13.15,16,20&21)

We are saved to serve, not the other way around – good works are the fruit not the foundation of my salvation. I am on a path to glory, and the very act of walking daily along that way is a part of the means by which I am being changed – the daily choice to read the bible and to pray; the weekly choice to gather with others in worship; the willingness to respond to prompts to show love and care.. every small act of service is forming habits which are shaping attitudes, which – God willing – are resulting in lasting change.   

As believers, we are in the business of life-long learning, and it is God who is in charge of both the curriculum and the means by which it is delivered! Each of his children has their own unique path of learning and individual challenges to go through, each has a particular set of skills, strengths and weaknesses through which God – the ultimate teacher as well as the sovereign over all time and space – is bringing our lives into that pattern by which he works all things together for good, for the final revelation of his kingdom and our glorious future.

Perhaps, like me, you struggle with translating these great truths into the humdrum of daily life, and wonder whether you ought to be embarking upon some course of study/ some new discipline or good work, or pattern of life in order to become more mature in faith. We are all a work in progress, and rightly long to be finished! This is not an easy thing to settle; sometimes we are made uneasy in order to prompt us to change things! But I know for myself, all too often it is because I am comparing myself with other people that I feel this sense of lack, of needing to do/learn/perform in a different way. And I am not so sure that those impulses are from my Father. After all, we are human beings, not doings!

My very purpose in life – as the answer to the old catechism question puts it -is ‘to glorify God and enjoy him for ever’. That covers a great deal of ground, and surely leaves room for each and every unique child of God to be different in their own particular expression! It also leaves space for that expression to change in different seasons of our lives – after all, the busy and sleep deprived parents of young children are unlikely to have the energy and peace for prolonged seasons of intercessory prayer, or in-depth bible study! But they do have the task of parenting, of loving and raising children to know their Father in heaven, and to know what the gospel is and why it matters. Those of us in more peaceful seasons can help them by prayer, baby-sitting, and being involved in other practical ways!

We none of us have to do it all, or even be it all… we love, because he first loved us, and we look to take each day as his gift in which there will be good things prepared for us to do – and those might be as simple as noticing and rejoicing in colour, light and warmth; in the full-body joy of a running dog; or the deep-peace inducing sleep of a curled-up cat…

Dear Father, let us love you and be wise in what that looks like day by day. Deliver us from the curse of comparison, to look to you in delight and to give thanks for the abundance of your goodness to us – this is a good work! Let us rest in your sure work of transformation in us, as we live with you and as you work in us that which is pleasing to you – our likeness to Jesus, in whose name we pray, Amen.

And breathe…

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Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.  He said : “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? .. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know? Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while all the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?… Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been shown to you?.. Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?”

(Job 38, extracts)

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 

But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and evermore.

(Ps 131)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.. and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

(Rom 5.1,2&5)

I sometimes feel that I have spent much of my adult life trying on different roles, looking at other people and wondering if I ought to be more like them. As I approach my elder years, the pattern persists, and my thoughts continually dwell on what I ought to be doing as a responsible, adult, servant of God – doing with my time, my talents, my body. I can’t seem to get to the place of peaceful maturity which I see in so many other people, and which looks so comfortable! I know that my salvation and identity as God’s beloved child is assured to me, and to that degree, I am at peace with my Father because I live in his love – the only true foundation for peace in this world.

But I remain restless and deeply unsure about what my time and energies are for.. I try one thing, then another; I compare my life and habits to other people and wonder if their pattern is the one for me. I hear an interminable inner monologue of doubt and uncertainty; and underlying that doubt is a major weakness, which is the desire for someone else to tell me exactly what I am for and how that should work itself out day-to-day in my life.

The monologue has been particularly loud in recent weeks, and while I am – obviously – praying for wisdom and the Lord to be working through this to bring me to a fresh discernment and peace in His calling, I also need to be actively seeking ways to switch off the inner voice.. This morning, that looked like a walk near our house, which takes me by a swiftly running river, through great trees and a broad parkland, past beautiful buildings and hardly any busy roads. It was a deliberate step into God’s handiwork, and having chosen to leave my phone at home, it was also a choice to keep all my senses engaged with my surroundings.

And how quickly the Lord met me with his gifts of love – the sense of cold fresh air on my skin; the beauty of the great cedar tree reflected in the water; the calm and focussed absorption of the fisherman with his graceful line floating over the surface; the fascinating immobility of a heron, sheltering in a waterside thicket and seeking food; the sound of running water and the joyous abandon of a dog racing after a ball, every line of its body expressing the joy of being alive.

I returned home refreshed in spirit, and full of thankfulness for the miracle which it is to be alive in God’s good world, and to see, hear, taste and touch the good things which He so generously gives. I am calmed, and reminded that it is ok not to understand, ok to find life overwhelming at times, ok just to slow right down and to be.

Loving Father, I thank and praise you for the gift of this day’s life in your amazing creation. I thank you for the truth that I am safe in your arms, and you love me – no matter what muddles I get into in my thinking about what I am for. Thank you that you delight in me as I am. Thank you that you are so much greater than I can possible imagine, and that your love will never run out. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

On blessing with our words… why do it?

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So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”

(Gen 1.21-23)

And the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

(Num 6.22-27)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways…. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children’s children..

(Ps 128.1,5&6)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good…..Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

(Rom 12.9&14)

“Bless you!” How readily those words come to our lips when someone sneezes, but what do we mean? The briefest dive into the internet to find out what ‘bless’ means will leave you rather overwhelmed, and I am certainly not equipped to undertake a detailed exploration in this blog! But, I firmly believe that since we are created in the image of God, designed to reflect his character and share his purposes, we can also share in his work of blessing.

In Genesis, the word first appears as part of an exhortation to the created order, that it might thrive and fulfill its purpose; later it will be part of God’s first announcement to Abraham of the great plan to send a redeemer through Abrahams’ descendants who will bring deliverance, healing and true prosperity to all the nations. These ‘blessings’ are rooted in God’s power and goodness – what He plans, He will carry out, and it will be for His glory and also for the true and deepest good of all who are in covenant relationship with Him. This is true throughout scripture, and wherever we read of blessing, we need to remember that it will be rooted and driven by God’s purposes of love, even when we can’t understand how they are being worked out. The greatest blessing ever given to creation, is the redeeming work of Christ Jesus – the fulfilment of that promise to Abraham – but on Good Friday, it did not look like a comfortable or easy blessing, it looked like utter defeat and failure…..

If I want to be like my Father in heaven then, I want to share in his work of blessing – of reminding others where goodness and security and hope really lie, so that they too can rest in the finished work of Christ and share in God’s work in the world. I take the words which I have, and I offer them as a channel by which God may speak His goodness, power, healing and hope into the lives of others, reminding them of the truth. This is what God was commanding the priests to do when Moses was given that beautiful blessing for Aaron to speak over the people. That short blessing is one which we can readily use in our own context, speaking God’s love, favour and saving power over his children for their encouragement and help.

Ultimately, when we live as God’s children in this world, we are called to offer life in His name to those around us, to be channels of His love in ways that help others to choose life (which is to know Jesus), and not death. So how can my words bless others in this way? How can I meet those with whom I will come into contact, in ways which will help them to live as God desires? This is what God’s blessing has always been directed towards – the ultimate rescue and transformation of a dying world to new life in his kingdom. This is what it means to be blessed – to know the life of the age to come, the divine life which is God’s love. I must speak, I have the ability to write; I choose then that those things should be a means of blessing to others – even as God’s word bears fruit for eternal life, so also may my words, and yours, bear fruit in kingdom-building life.

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you, now and for evermore, Amen.

Doing God’s will..

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“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work…”

(Jn 4.34)

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.”

(Jn 12.23-26)

Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.

(Lk 18.31)

Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

(1Cor 15.58)

Then they asked [Jesus], “What must we do to do the works that God requires? Jesus answered, “The work of God is this; to believe in the one he has sent.”

(Jn 6.28-29)

All four gospel narratives clearly reveal a man on a mission: Jesus knew from his early years that he had a particular task to fulfill, and when he finally embarked upon his earthly ministry, he spoke again and again of his ‘work’. We see that this work was to announce the kingdom of God, and ultimately to suffer, die and rise again in order to inaugurate that kingdom and defeat the evil power which until then had held all humankind in bondage.

Within this context however, we also see a man whose days appear to drift by with little structure, and who was continually responding to ‘interruptions’ and unforseen circumstances. How do we reconcile this with the idea of doing God’s work? Perhaps the answer lies in a different understanding of what it is to live for God in this world? Jesus knew exactly who he was, and why he was here. Jesus identity was secure and his purpose inflexible, and he knew that God would fulfill that purpose in his (God’s) good time. Within that overarching direction however, there was a sense of freedom and an expectation that each day would bring exactly what God planned across Jesus’ path. What looked to his disciples like unfortunate distractions and delays were met in Jesus with a peaceful, focussed attention – he believed that God was working in all the circumstances, and was ready to be used in any way that his Father ordained.

Is this not a liberating principle that we can also apply to our lives? As followers of Jesus, the Way, we look to his example and direction for our lives. We see that God has an overarching purpose for us – to believe in the one whom God has sent, that is, Jesus – and we trust that his power within is sufficient to enable us to do that until we are taken home and made new. Within that purpose, each of us has different callings at different seasons of life – a job, a family, a hobby which uses God’s gifting to us and celebrates his goodness – and in each of these, we must believe in Jesus. That is, we must live in those situations and activities as redeemed sinners, with an overflowing abundance of love to share in God’s name for people who need to hear it. ‘Belief’ which does not affect how we live is not belief, it is only a theory or casual notion which we can ignore when it suits us. If we claim to believe in the one whom God sent, and yet will not bear witness by our words and deeds, by the way we use our resources, and the choices we make, then we do not believe in the way Christ calls us to.

I am excited to think that my life as a believer is not a matter of rigid scheduling of ‘religious’ activities, but is a pattern woven by my Father according to his purposes, where he asks for my yielding, my desire to be attuned to his promptings, my availability to be ‘interrupted’ and to recognise in the smallest event some sign that God is at work and asking me to share it.

Heavenly Father, thank you that while you ask me to be prudent and to steward the hours and days, the strength and resources you give me, yet you also call me to hold all my schemes and plans lightly, recognising your authority over my life, and your place as the great weaver by whose skill your kingdom is being built and all things are working together for your plans. Today I release my life afresh into your keeping and for your directing. Let me meet what you send with the strength you will supply, and with glad confidence that you are working through all that comes. In the name of Jesus, who showed me what this looks like, Amen.

On being reminded of one’s weakness..

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“You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to it..”

(Matt 5.48-6.2)

Something relatively trivial happened today, a long-awaited plan to meet a friend fell through due to an error on my part in naming the date. She had arranged her diary to accommodate me on one day, but I was hoping to see her the next day… Two disappointed people, and one with every good reason to be irritated at the other! And my reaction to the discovery that it was my error gave me pause to reflect… Why was I so upset? My friend has (I think) forgiven me and we will manage a short meeting, but I am left with a rather sick feeling and discomfort. I realised that it is because I am rather proud of myself as a friend – as the one who keeps appointments, makes a lot of effort to maintain relationships – and this episode has undermined that good opinion! I have been gently and clearly reminded that I am mortal, frail and as prone to error as my neighbour – there are no grounds for pride here, only gratitude for the kindness and friendship of others who are willing to forgive me.

This small event has also served as a reminder of the larger and more important relationship in my life – with Jesus my Lord, and my Heavenly Father, with whom I live by the Spirit at work in me. I need to guard against the temptation to think well of myself as a believer, to remember that of myself, I could do nothing towards my salvation and that I am utterly dependent on my Father’s love and the Son’s atoning death in order to receive the kindness and forgiveness which I need. I will never deserve God’s goodness, in the same way that I do not deserve the kindness of my friends. But I am so grateful for both!

Some of Jesus’ harshest words were for those who were proud of their spiritual habits, performance and status, whose self-worth derived in large part from being known for their public piety, generosity and diligent attendance at synagogue or temple. Believers are just as vulnerable to this trap, whereby the devil twists what are actually good habits into becoming a source of false pride. When we like to be thought of by others as somehow extra-specially holy, biblically knowledgeable, or prayerful, then we are trapped into performance and base our worth on actions instead of on Christ’s sacrificial death for us.

I am brought back over and over again to the truth that it is only in God’s naming of us as his beloved, redeemed children that we find our significance and self-worth. When I begin to value the opinion of others (and my own opinion of myself), then I am drifting away from my only security, which is in Christ. I want to be kept prayerfully aware of my own weakness in this regard; to keep asking to be cleansed by the Spirit from all false pride in myself and filled instead with gratitude for what I have been made by Christ, and am being enabled daily to do by the Spirit. If there is any pride, then it should be in my Saviour, by whose blood I am bought, and whose life in me is the source of all that is good.

This reliance upon Christ alone also releases me from excessive reaction to my own ongoing weakness. My friend knows my heart and has forgiven me – I am not less in her eyes because of my error. How much more does Jesus know my heart, and forgive my errors! I need not spiral down into self-condemnation after making mistakes, but instead rejoice that my value as a person in God’s sight is unchanged! His hold on me is as firm and tenderly secure as it will ever be, and my experiences of failure or error simply make his love and faithfulness to me even more precious and life-giving. I truly rest in him, I give over the burdens and accept in return the weighty gift of grace.

Getting out of the valley…

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Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?… Those who walk righteously and speak what is right… they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them. 

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar… your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved, its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken. There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams.. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

(Isa 33.14-17,20-22)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.

(Ps 1.1-3)

“It is written; ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

(Matt 5.4)

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

(Jn 4.14)

In these days I am testifying with a full and grateful heart to God’s keeping and directing of me over these months; for his sustaining grace through struggle and weariness; guarding me from folly and from dishonouring him as I seemed to be walking in a maze of dead ends down in the valleys, hungry for the wide open spaces which I believed to be out there! Thanks be to God, who has led and fed, and kept company with me, through his people and through his word – provided for the feeding of his people, who have the privilege of continually being nourished and learning afresh from it. I have received a revelation of grace, experienced the unravelling of knots and been led up over the foothills to the great ‘high ways’ of God’s people.

I am rejoicing in God’s goodness – with renewed appetite for his word and confidence in its power as I see it bear fruit in my life. I am delighting in prospect of a study group with whom to share in learning, sisters in Christ with whom to grow in faith, to share the sheer joy of learning to know God better, to see Jesus more clearly and to worship him with them. A rich banquet is laid out before us on which to feast, where we will meet God and honour him. Truly, our good shepherd provides good food and clear waters for us!

There is a sense of having left behind the narrow and baffling lanes in the valley with their restricted views and lack of perspective. Now I am walking on the ridges, my vision is far-ranging; I can see where I am and where I am going within the context of God’s great plan of redemption and re-creation. The air is clean and invigorating, the prospect glorious, I have food and drink in abundance for my spirit, and lack nothing.

And by whose agency am I brought to this place? By the One whose righteousness is now my inheritance and secure possession, by Jesus Christ the one who has paid for all my sins and through whom I am adopted as God’s beloved daughter. It is all by his loving sacrifice, and thus to him belongs all my praise and thanks. I see the king in his beauty, and the glorious sight brings me such peace and hope. I see the spacious land to which I now belong, and where I will dwell with God and all the saints, and I am near to bursting point with gladness and praise!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the lessons which you have been teaching me in the valley; and for your preservation of me in those devious and trying paths. I praise you that your grace is now more fully revealed to me, and I am reinvigorated for my journey. Let me not forget the lessons of the valley – above all let me not forget that I can trust you to be working even when I am baffled, grieved and weak. In the name and for the sake of my precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus, I pray, Amen.

It all comes down to this…

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[Mary] turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) ….. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together….. Jesus came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you!” After this he showed them his hands and his side. …. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples…. These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

(Jn 20.14-16,19&20,30&31)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Rom 1.1-4)

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people the most to be pitied.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

(1 Cor 15.12-14,19&20)

How long had the hours been since that dark Friday afternoon, since the centre of all hope had been taken from the cross broken, bleeding and cold? How much deeper the cold in all their hearts as hope had died, and with it all sense of purpose, to be replaced by utter disorientation and despair. What fools they have been; how deeply deceived and now how agonisingly undeceived..

Now the women come to the tomb – released from ritual observance and still eager to honour one whom they had loved, trusted and followed by caring for his dead body as best they can. Now despair is rendered more bitter as the tomb is open, not just open but empty! What new indignity has been visited on the mortal remains of their beloved? There are strange visions of white figures who speak in seeming riddles about death being reversed, but what nonsense is that? Are they all going a little mad in their grief?

And then, as she comes to the end of what she can bear, Mary hears a voice and sees an unfamiliar form. Who is this that meets her as she turns in total despair from the empty tomb? Bewildered and swept away by a tidal wave of joy, she falls to the ground in worship and awe, recognising her Lord, the dead one who is now alive; the cold and disfigured flesh now vibrant and full of radiant life! She doesn’t puzzle over the science of it; she doesn’t worry about how it is possible; she lets the glorious indisputable reality of resurrection flood her heart and mind, restoring light and hope.

If the resurrection is true – and there are many witnesses to it, and many reasoned arguments which give authority to the claims of the apostles – then all that we thought we knew about life and death and life-after-death has to be re-thought. We are in a new realm, a place where the old rules don’t apply. The revolution has begun, and the raising of Jesus from the dead is the great trumpet call which announces the establishing of God’s eternal kingdom and the vanquishing of every rival power which would usurp his throne.

Since the resurrection is true, we also may share in Mary’s experience as our despair and  hopelessness is met with tenderness and the miracle of new beginning; met by a power greater than all that has intimidated and enthralled us, keeping us enslaved to sin, darkness and the fear of death. “Death is dead; Love has won; Christ has conquered!” – so goes the wonderful Easter hymn, ‘See what a morning’ (Townend & Getty, 2003). And that puts it in a nutshell. 

So, what will be your response, and mine? … it comes down to this: will I believe, in the outrageous and world-shattering reality of a resurrected Lord, and thus find life in all its rich eternity-infused fulness? 

Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom; Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost is sting.

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son; endless is the victory, Thou o’er death hast won!

( EL Budry 1854-1932, tr RB Hoyle)

Love.. is

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God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature…”

(Gen 1.26. the Message)

Jesus said,”.. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!…. to see me is to see the Father”

(Jn 14.7&9. The Message)

Love from the centre of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. .. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got in in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other… When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.

(Romans 12.9-19, 13.8&10. The Message)

By his son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the son at the end. This son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature.

(Heb 1.2&3. The Message)

What are we here for? What is our purpose, and the reason for being human with all that means? The very first words of the Hebrew Scriptures give us the fundamental answer from which an infinite variety of paths will flow – we are here in order to be like God! That doesn’t sound very practical… so let me unpack a little.

God is revealed as the Maker, the great Artist and source of all creative energies. To be like Him therefore is to reflect his creativity, delight in beauty, to share in his care for creation. That overwhelming abundance of good things is made to glorify God and reflect his nature, his generosity; it is an expression of a love that delights to give.

The little word ‘us’ indicates to the reader that God exists in community; beyond time and created space, our Almighty and infinite Maker is in loving relationship, enjoying and sharing at the very heart of deity. To be like God then, is to be made for community, for mutual appreciation and affection, for shared life.

Let’s think in particular, of how to be like God is to love –  how does God love? I believe that all of scripture is a revelation of love in action. From the codes of law which God gave as an expression of love, through the admonitions of the prophets against the lovelessness of God’s people, and ultimately in Jesus life, death and resurrection that love is demonstrated and expressed. This is not a soft, indulgent love; this is a never-quenched flame which burns to achieve the best possible outcomes for the beloved – guarding them against danger, calling them back from the ways of folly and rebellion, providing for them what they most need and cannot achieve for themselves.

We, as the creatures of this loving God, are not called to do all that He does. But in Jesus we have a clear example of what it means to be “like God” as mere human beings. Jesus claimed to be God, to be revealing God to humanity in a perfect way. So Jesus shows us what it is like for a human being to love as God loves.

As you read the wonderfully rich list of love-in-action in Romans, consider how Jesus did all these things during his time walking among us. Rejoice that none of these things is out of our reach! We are not being called to an impossibility but to the fullest kind of life, one which is our calling, that perfectly fits what we are designed for – to love, because God first loved us.

We have this one shared purpose, and there will be as many expressions of it as there are human beings – no two people will live for and with God in the same way, but each may know what it is to love God and others with all that they are. Love, is to offer up all that God has given us in his service, generously sharing his gifts and our own experiences of his goodness in that unique path to which we are assigned by his grace.