Broken pieces shine bright

 

While sharing on the passage from John 9, I was reminded of how God takes the broken pieces of our lives and creates something beautiful from the mess. Each stain glass window that is lovingly made, requires the artist to use glass that has been broken and then they use their skill to create a wonderful picture.

We may not feel great at the moment, or we may even feel that life is a bit of a mess, but I urge you to entrust your life to Christ. Ask Jesus to fit you into the grand design of his making. 

Psalm 31 says:

I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. (v12)

But I am trusting you, O Lord,
    saying, “You are my God!”
15 My future is in your hands.
    Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant.
    In your unfailing love, rescue me. (v14-16)

Living in Grace

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Saint Patrick - the courage to turn back and forgive

For those who know the wonderful story of Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, the 17th of March is a day to remember him. The legend of his life seems to grow more and more with time, but there is enough fact in his testimony that teaches us some powerful insights. 

In reading a sonnet by Malcolm Guite, I was struck by the thought of Patrick's courage. When he returned back to the land of his captors, Patrick displayed remarkable courage. We could argue that it must have taken a miracle for him to go back to the very people who had kept him prisoner for 6 years.

 In doing this Patrick displayed his Christlikeness, because it was Jesus who taught us to 'love our enemies'. Patrick could have gone back to Ireland with a deep desire for revenge and retribution, but he chose the path of forgiveness and mercy. In doing so, he allowed the people of Ireland to see the true presence of Christ.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." - Matthew 5:43-45

Thought: How our world needs more people like Patrick today? When everyone seems hellbent on revenge and anger, we are challenged to choose the path of love.

Please listen to the beautiful sonnet by Malcolm Guite here.

Living in Grace

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Our blind spots

Reading through John 9, we notice a lot of powerful imagery around sight, blindness, light and darkness. In reflecting on this passage, I was struck by the 'blind spots' in the lives of the disciples, as well as the religious leaders. 

When we are learning to drive our instructors make it a serious point to teach us that we all have a blind spot, even if we drive very well. This blind spot is not necessarily a fault of ours, but it is a reality. And so, it is humbling to admit, that there are some things that we just can't see and if we want to avoid an accident, we need to learn to adjust our vision.

In John's account of the man who was born blind, Jesus reveals to the disciples and the leaders where their blind spots were, but they didn't all react positively to this. 

"Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So, they were divided." - John 9:16

Thought: Where could my blind spot be? How would I react if someone pointed this out to me?

"No man is wise at all times or is without his blind side." — Desiderius Erasmus

Living in Grace

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What if they knew?

What if everyone knew our secrets? How would you feel about that? It would be very intimidating for most of us, and I am sure we would struggle to look each other in the eye. Our mistakes and sins are not something we are very proud of. So, why is the Samaritan woman going around telling people that Jesus knows all about my life - he knows my secrets?!

John 4:29 - “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did", perhaps could be 

I think it because she has got used to people knowing her story and rejecting her or shunning her. But now, she meets a religious man, who openly talks to her and doesn't shame her. Her statement in this verse, could easily be summed up: "Can you believe it? This holy man knows all about my secrets and yet he still wants to talk to me about faith and God. He didn't even look down at me but rather offered me 'Living Water.' Could he be the Messiah?"

Thought: God knows all about our past and our present struggles/sins, yet he still loves us. How remarkable is that?

Romans 5:8 - "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Living in Grace

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I have no bucket!

What do you do when you arrive at the well, but you have nothing to draw the water with? Your thirst is getting the better of you, and you don't know how to quench this longing. 

For many people their struggles are so overwhelming that they fail to see that Jesus is the one who offers us the water that quenches our thirst. Sadly, our picture of God has become so distorted over the years that we think our 'lack of a bucket' excludes us from the gift of Life. 

I have found this poem has put into words some of our deepest thoughts and emotions. 

"I have no bucket, and the well is deep.
My thirst is endless, and my throat is dry.
I ask you, stranger, silent at my side,
can words refresh my longings if you speak?
I have no bucket, and the well is deep.

Who are you, strange yet friendly at my side,
and can you see and judge, yet understand
my hidden self, and heal with wounded hands?
Are you the path, the gateway and the guide,
the keys, the living water, and the light?

Come break the rock, and bid the rivers flow
from deep unending wells of joy and worth,
for tears, for drinking, drowning and new birth,
and I shall find and give myself, and know
the keys, the living water, and the light." - Brian Wren

Isaiah spoke of God's love and open invitation to 'Come to him' in these words:

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare." - Isaiah 55:1-3

Living in Grace

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What is it that defines who you are?

What is it that defines who you are?

Is it your career? Your title? Your family name? Your bank account? Your degrees?

I guess, we will all answer this question in our own way and with our own emphasis. However, I find it interesting that when we meet Jesus, a lot of these things change. They no longer define us. We may still keep some of these things (job, family, titles etc.), but they don't have to define us anymore.

Coming back to the John 4 account of the Samaritan woman, did you notice how, in her hurry, she left the water jug behind? John tells us: “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town…” (John 4:28)

There could be a few reasons as to why she leaves it behind, but I am moved by Tim Keller's take on this. He says: “When you encounter the real Jesus, the things that once defined your life no longer hold the same power.”

Her life had changed. Her encounter with Jesus showed her that she was loved and that she had a purpose. It was not just fetching water at midday that would define her but telling others that she had met the Messiah.

Living in Grace

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Love truly transforms lives, not fear!

One of the reasons I began to explore writing a blog (18 years ago) was because I realized that I couldn't "fit" all my thoughts and research into a 20-minute timeframe on a Sunday. I also wanted to allow the scripture passages to live with me longer than one day. And so, what I started out doing was drip-feeding my soul with scriptures, quotes and ideas that I hoped would help me to digest the essence of the Sunday theme.

I have not always followed this initial vision, but I would like to do more of that this week. I have really enjoyed taking time to ponder the story of the Samaritan woman (John 4) and it amazes me how much we still need to learn from this story, especially focusing on the actions of Jesus.

In an age of blatant hatred, unkindness, sectarianism, racism and all sorts of division, Jesus shows us what His Kingdom is truly about. Jesus crosses multiple barriers to share God's love and grace with a woman who was ostracized and written off by many. It is little wonder that she was astonished at his kindness and willingness to engage with her.

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

Thought: The woman was not oblivious to what names people were calling her. She expected Jesus to treat her in the same way, but he did not. In order to bring her back to God, Jesus didn't need to shame her - he only needed to show her that she was 'seen and loved.' This was the catalyst to her conversion. 

Ø  Isaiah 55:1–3 — “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…”

Living in Grace

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