We have no excuse

We have no excuse!

There are a lot of things that we like to make excuses about, and in so doing, we push our responsibility onto someone else. However, today I am not speaking about world events, local crises or anything else. I am wanting to draw our attention to these words from the apostle Paul.

¹⁹ They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. ²⁰ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God." - Romans 1:19-20

I believe what Paul is getting at is that we have enough evidence of God's nature and qualities in the world around us - in other words, in the Creation. By looking around us, and up into the heavens, we have the "call to worship." 

All that has been given to us (Genesis 1) reveals something of who God is. Of course, Paul is not inviting us to bow down to the sun, moon and stars, but to allow them to grab our attention and then to Praise the Lord God.

So, if we took the time to stop and look around, we would have no excuse for not getting a glimpse of who God is.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Speaking without sound

David reminds us that God continues to speak to us, and he doesn't even need to use audible speech to do this. Read these verses from Psalm 19 to see what I am getting at:

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.

I am convinced that God is trying to commune with us way more regularly than we are willingly to listen. 

How can we become more attentive to his words and voice?

Job 33:14 - "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it."

Living in Grace

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Walking without fear

One of the things that amazed us about walking the Camino in Spain was how safe it was. We were walking through all kinds of terrain and at all hours of the day, but we never felt unsafe. We even noticed pilgrims walking on their own, and when we passed them, we found ourselves wondering why this wouldn't be the case in South Africa? 

It is a sad reality, but hikers, walkers, runners are urged not to exercise alone, even in places with larger communities. And this week in South Africa, we understand why - we have heard the tragic news of 9 bodies being found in the Ekurhuleni region - all female and most of the ladies were out exercising at the time of their murder. This is totally devasting for the families and friends of these women, and absolutely shocking for our society. 

There are so many unanswered questions at this time, but this kind of tragedy should leave us all asking deeper questions. How can we raise awareness about GBV in one month and the next moment discover that the women in our world are still vulnerable? How can the church help raise awareness? What else can we do to be a part of the change?

I leave us with the words of our Presiding Bishop, Pumla Nzimande, who wrote in her letter yesterday:

"May the loss of these women not be met with another moment of outrage that soon fades, but with renewed determination and sustained action. May this moment deepen our shared resolve to build communities in which every woman and child is safe, valued, protected and free from fear. 

 Put away violence and oppression, and do what is just and right. (Ezekiel 45:9) 

 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18)"

Living in Grace

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Leliefontein Mission work party (Namaqualand)

A few of us from the Fish Hoek Community had the privilege of being involved in a working mission up to Namaqualand last week. For some of you who were wondering why I was quiet for a week, this is my excuse :) The picture in this post is of the front of the church, which is still being repaired as I write this devotion. 

We went up to the oldest Methodist Mission Station in the country, which is at Leliefontein, as they are marking their 210th birthday in October. Our work was mainly focused on painting, repairing, building, cleaning and generally helping the community fix up their Church and Manse. The work was hard, but deeply rewarding. We were all grateful for the chance to stand on the historical ground and to honour those who have gone before us. 

I was reminded again, that in serving God and other people, we are given a special gift - it is a blessing that you cannot buy, but it is felt through the joy and appreciation of God's people. When you help others, who are struggling with their own trials and who aren't able to 'pay' for your help, it truly humbles you and reminds you that you do these acts of service unto the Lord. 

Luke 22:27 - Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

Living in Grace

D3LM3  

Forgiveness is hard

"To err is human; to forgive is divine." - Alexander Pope

These words from Alexander Pope ring true for many of us, because choosing to forgive is not always easy. In fact, sometimes forgiveness seems to be only something that God can truly practice - a Divine act of God. 

Jesus told his disciples a remarkable parable about the unforgiving servant and this illustrated how easily we are willing to receive God's forgiveness but are not so willing to show mercy to others.

"Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” - Matthew 18:32-35

Thought: How willing are you to forgive those who have hurt you? 

Living in Grace

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Living Water

As we move deeper into the season of Spring, I wanted to share this moving prayer, which is being used for the Season of Creation 2026. This year's theme is based on "The Living Water" (Ezekiel 47) and it is a timely reminder for us to honour what God has entrusted into our care. 

Living Water

Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as part of your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the gift of water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, the pasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish our homelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-watered garden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.

Yet, we confess that we have treated this gift as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.

Lord of all Life, you promised that wherever the river flows, everything shall live. Stir in us a calling to care for the waters — to protect the watershed, defend the rights of water, and honor the dignity of the thirsty. May your Word be a spring within us, gushing forth for the healing of the nations.

May God our Father who brought water from the rock sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord who is Living Water refresh us for the work of restoration. And may the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen.

If you are interested in the Season of Creation, you can find all their resources on this website.

Living in Grace

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A Prayer for Spring and for our Youth

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land." - Song of Songs 2:12

Here is a lovely prayer to celebrate the change in seasons, as well as asking for God to watch over our young people.

"Loving God and Father,
We worship you as the creator and sustainer of all that lives;
Lord, once again it is Spring.
All around us pulsating, sparkling life 

is breaking out in a thousand various forms.
Everything is so breathtakingly beautiful
that is releases a pang of joy in my deepest soul.
Your earth is awakening from its winter sleep!

Saviour, touch my heart too and bring my barren everyday life
to new life and growth.

This month we pray for our youth and children,
the most precious blossoms of our time.
Protect them in these times
of shifting values and spiritual threats.
Keep them strong against the evil powers
that seek to drag them down.
Help them to strive with all their might
for what is good and noble.
May the older generation encourage them
with practical examples of faith, hope and love.
Help them to be immovable in their faith in the knowledge
that Christ himself, their Master and Example was once young.
Bless, O Lord, graciously and abundantly
the great work done by parents, ministers and teachers
who support young people along the road of life.
In Jesus name. Amen." (based on a prayer by Rev. Solly Ovrech)

Living in Grace

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