Suffering is not optional

“Dear Child of God, I am sorry to say that suffering is not optional.” - Desmond Tutu

We started our preaching series on the book of Job this weekend and the quote from Desmond Tutu (above) has lived with me throughout this week. For a long time, I believed that when I experienced some kind of suffering, that it was because of something I had done wrong, and that God was punishing me. 

Thankfully, I see God in a different light now, but there are still many people who think (mistakenly) that their suffering is caused by some defect in their spiritual lives. I feel this is not what God wants from us - this is dangerous theology. Suffering is universal and it is God who helps us get through these moments of pain and trial. 

Paul says something interesting in Philippians. He states: "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (3:10-11)

What would this mean for us? Let me know what you are thinking, please. 

As we continue through this preaching series, I am sure I will share a few more thoughts on Job and suffering. Remember, that if you would like to listen to the sermon, you can click on this link.

Living in Grace

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Hope deferred

How are you coping with this Covid-19 pandemic? I mean - how are you really doing?
What I am finding the most difficult is that there is no timeline - there is no end goal in mind. I think that I would be able to get my mind around each stage of Lockdown if I knew there was an end to each stage. However, for obvious reasons, there is no timeline for any of us and this is the frustrating part for me.

As I was reading through Proverbs 13 today, this is the verse that stood out for me:

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." - Proverbs 13:12

This is becoming many people's reality at the moment - our hearts are becoming 'sick' in some ways. Many people are struggling with anxiety, depression and mental health is starting to become a real issue for many citizens. Can I ask us to pray for people today who are struggling along these lines. Perhaps you even know of a friend or family member who is wrestling with this right now.

"Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around." - Eugene Peterson (The Message)

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu

Living in Grace
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Prayer for today

May you find the following simple prayer as profound as I did. Enjoy and God bless you.

"Lord, goodness is stronger than evil;
love is stronger than hate;
light is stronger than darkness;
life is stronger than death;
victory is ours through you who love us.
Amen." - Desmond Tutu

John 12:25 - "Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Living in Grace
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Stronger than ... Advent prayer 2

"Lord, goodness is stronger than evil,
Love is stronger than hate
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
victory is ours through you who love us." - Desmond Tutu

Evil, hatred, darkness and death are all strong words, but I am grateful that Jesus has given us things that are much stronger. This advent season remember that 'Goodness, Love, Light and Life' are all much stronger than anything the evil one has planned for us.

1 John 4:20 - Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Living in Grace
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Hope - Advent word for today

What are you HOPING for?
Who are you placing your HOPE in?
Hope is a very unusual concept to describe, but it is one that keeps us going? I feel that we all need something to HOPE in, otherwise life can become very depressing. Thankfully this Christmas we can celebrate that Jesus is the HOPE of the world.

em-title-wrap col-sm-3"> Job 7:6 - “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope." (It is interesting that the book of Job mentions HOPE nearly 20 times - If anyone needed something to HOPE for, it was Job).
Psalm 9:18 - But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu

Living in Grace
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Silence is not an option

There comes a time when we just can't remain silent any longer. This could apply to a whole lot of things in our communities, world and even our churches. I know that Desmond Tutu has many detractors, but the one thing we can never accuse him of is "remaining silent." He has always been outspoken on things that have distrubed his Christian principles. He was once asked if he enjoyed his role as a modern prophet and this was his reply.

"...I do not do it because I like to do it. I do it because I am, what I believe to be the influence of God's hand. I cannot help it when I see injustice. I cannot keep quiet."

If we turn to the Bible, we see that both Job and Esther reached a crossroads in their lives where they also realised they couldn't remain silent.

Job 7:11 - “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul."

Esther 4:14 - "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Is God prompting you to speak up on some issue or on behalf of someone in need? Ask for His strength to help you through this challenging time.


Living in Grace
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