What is your excuse?

When God called Jeremiah to serve him and to be a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah tried to worm out of this task by claiming that he was too young and inexperienced. God saw through his tactic and told Jeremiah to stop using that as an excuse.

In essence, I see this as God reminding Jeremiah, that when we fulfil God's calling, we are given God's resources to complete the task.  This is what God said (Jeremiah 1:4-8):

“Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
that’s what I had in mind for you.”

6 But I said, “Hold it, Master God! Look at me.
I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!”

7-8 God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’
I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.
Don’t be afraid of a soul.
I’ll be right there, looking after you.”
God’s Decree.

Question: What excuses are we tempted to make when God calls us to a task?

Living in Grace

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Walking through a dark forest

Amy Carmichael describes her struggles as if she was wandering in a dark wood (forest). Later on, in her life, when she was struggling with her own health, she wrote these beautiful words:

"Look up to the light that pours into the wood from high above the trees. The long, pure rays of that conquering light are interwoven with the tall stems of the trees, even as threads bright and dark are interwoven in the web of our lives."

She then wrote these next words as a form of a prayer: "Look above the treetops, O my soul; from thence flow the foundations of light. See how that blessed light streams through the wood."

Her thoughts made me think of Psalm 121 again. These are such encouraging words for us.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121

Living in Grace

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The earth is no stranger to tears

There are times when we feel that we are alone in the distress we are experiencing. However, it soon becomes apparent that there are so many others who are dealing with their own unique pain and sorrow. There is a measure of consolation in this, as we may become more sensitized to the plight of our neighbour and friends. 

When D.L. Moody wrote about some of the pain he was witnessing in Chicago, he said:

"All over this city are broken hearts. If all the sorrow represented in this great city was written in a book, this building couldn’t hold that book, and you couldn’t read it in a long lifetime.

This earth is not a stranger to tears, neither is the present the only time when they could be found in abundance. From Adam’s days to ours, tears have been shed, and a wail has been going up to Heaven from the brokenhearted. And I say it again, it is a mystery to me how all those broken hearts can keep away from Him who has come to heal them."

It is Moody's emphasis on Christ that should strike us as being important. He is not suggesting that tears and broken hearts are unusual, but rather that people still don't choose to turn to Jesus in their distress.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I encourage us all to allow Christ to heal our pain and to dry our tears. He is willing to do so.

Living in Grace

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True joy in life

George Bernard Shaw wrote about what he describes as True Joy. 

“This is the true joy of life; .... being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature rather than a feverish selfish little cloud of ailments complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

I find it interesting that he speaks of this, especially as we consider God's calling for us to serve him in our communities and in whatever way we can. Perhaps we know someone who seems to be a 'feverish selfish little cloud of ailments' and who is always complaining about something. They don't fill is with motivation or excitement, do they? However, we also know of people who seem to have found their purpose in life, and they are filled with joy. They radiate the love of Jesus. 

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12: 7

“If I do it by myself, for myself, it’s death. If I do it with God for others, its life, because whatever I do with God for others outlives my life.” – John Ortberg

 Living in Grace

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Between self-doubt and courage

The doubts and questions are there. We wonder if we should venture out in faith or listen to the nagging narrative: "You are not good enough. You don't have what it takes." 

And so, in the end, we choose to silence the voices in our head, and we collapse back into our comfortable lives. 

Can you relate to this sentiment at all? 

Have you ever felt prompted or called to do something for the Lord, but you have given into the negative emotions that force us back into our shell? 

If YES, then know that you are in very good company. Almost all of the heroes of our faith came to a point of self-doubt, fear and paralysis. However, in the end, they took a bold step forward and trust God at his word. 

Are we willing to do the same? We will stay close to God, trusting in his provision and guidance at the moments we need it most? 

“Now go; I will help you to speak and will teach you what to say.” – Exodus 4:12

Frederick Buechner – “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Living in Grace

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The full jars that tell their own story

 
It was Andrew Moffatt who shared about the significance of the 6 stone jars filled with the glorious new wine: 

"The jars of choice wine became a picture of God’s abundant grace, illustrating that Jesus did not come just to meet our spiritual needs. He came that we might flourish in every way. He came to offer hope and joy, for this life and the next.”

When we invite God's spirit to reside in us, Jesus doesn't just offer us half-measures. God gives us way more than we ever dreamed of or even deserve. May these stone jars (of John 2) be a reminder to us of God's abundant grace. 

These vessels of stone are not filled to the brim, in order to present some kind of party-trick; they are filled so that we would always remember that, when we are empty or vulnerable, God has the power to make us flourish again. 

Ephesians 3:20 – ^“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Living in Grace

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We believe! - A reflection on Jesus' miracle in Cana

After spending the last few days reflecting on Jesus' first miracle in Cana - the turning of the water to wine, I decided to try and sum up my response in a piece of prose. I hope that it makes sense. If not, then you are welcome to read the passage again (John 2:1-11) or to watch the sermon on this platform.

If you a moment, please let me know what you think. Thank you. 

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Dear Jesus, loyal friend and miracle worker,
Giver of signs and undeserved grace.

We invite you into the feast of our lives,
But we confess we have little to offer you.
The wine has run out and the vessels are empty.
We have searched and searched for more, but to no avail.
We plead with you to send your Spirit to rescue us.
We believe that your wisdom will meet the needs of our desperate plight.
Rescue us from the great shame of our embarrassing mistakes.
And return to us the abundant joy of your deep grace.
Fill again the cavernous vacuum of our hearts,
So that your gift of love runs over the edges of our lives.
And after all this has been accomplished, 

we know that some may sadly continue to revel in their ignorance,
But we will boldly proclaim: “Thank you Jesus. We believe!”

Your helplessness is your best prayer

"Listen, my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness." - Ole Hallesby

In our willingness to admit that we can't solve everything, we humbly offer ourselves to the mercy of God. This helplessness is not a defeat, but rather an offering to the Great Helper. 

My helplessness opens the door for God to do his best work. My stubbornness in trying to always be strong, sends to God the following message: "I don't need you!"

Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Psalm 10:12 - Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

Thought: May our helplessness be a prayer to Jesus.

Living in grace

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The scary part of love is that it makes you vulnerable

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” - C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

When Jesus loved his disciples, he made himself vulnerable before them. 

When Jesus loved the world, he unselfishly chose to make himself vulnerable, even though it cost him his life.

Most of us have offered love to someone else and then have been wounded in the process. If this is you, I urge us not to withdraw into the cocoon of our own lives, because despite our pain, there are still others who would be blessed by your life and heart.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Living in Grace

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For the wobbly and weak-kneed

"Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed, who know they don’t have it all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace." - Brennan Manning

I have slowly grown tired of the kind of faith that seeks to glamourize only the 'super-spiritual' Christian leaders. Of course, we can all learn so much from fellow pastors, leaders and colleagues, but nowhere in the gospels does Jesus give acclaim only to the super-spiritual. Jesus welcomes the weak-kneed, and those who feel wobbly. And for that, I am extremely grateful. 

Living in Grace

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Words that have the power to change our lives!

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:21-22

A comment on these verses, from David Lose, has been lingering with me this week. He says: "The words from heaven, "You are my beloved child” – still have the power to change lives."

It was this pronouncement over the life of Jesus, that affirmed his identity (the Son of God) and publicly gave him authority for his ministry. All who witnessed this moment would have known that there was something unique and special about Jesus. 

However, if we heard these same words spoken over our lives, how would this change us? To hear that we are the daughters and sons of God - wow, what a gift!

As we go about our business today, let us live with these words as a promise to each of us: We are the children of God, and we are loved by God.

Living in Grace

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In the midst

This short statement has been running round inside my head for a few days: "In the midst." And as I start to ask questions, I realize that perhaps this is a reminder for us all. As we head into 2025, we will soon begin to feel the weight of life but let us remember that God has promised to be with us 'in the midst' of all things.

Psalm 138:7 - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 - You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

May God bless you and keep you in the palm of his hands. 

Living in Grace

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The 12th day of Christmas into Epiphany

For many people the festivities of Christmas Day are almost a distant memory, but for those communities who mark the 12 days of Christmas, this week is important. Not only is the 5th of January the 12th day of Christmas (for obvious reasons), but it is also the eve of Epiphany. The Easter Orthodox Church celebrates this date as the birth of Jesus and they offer gifts to one another, in the tradition of the wise men. 

This reflection is not a critique of any Christmas tradition, but rather just to remind myself (and others), that the Gift of Jesus' birth is not a "one day" event, but rather a miracle that gives us hope and life throughout the year.

May Christ be real to you this Epiphany and may the gift of his life resonate throughout 2025.

"Star of wonder, you have led us,
along with so many,
to the Child of the Light.
Continue to guide us on our journey
to be Followers of the One,
the Creator and Redeemer
and Sustainer of us all.
For it is in Christ's name that we pray. Amen." - Beth Richardson

Matthew 2:11-12 - 11 Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But when they returned to their own land, they didn’t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.

Living in Grace

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