A sunrise and a limp

"Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip." - Genesis 32:30-31

The story of Jacob's wrestling match with the angel, ends with these few final verses. I found such comfort in the picture of Jacob leaving Peniel while the sun rose for the start of a new day. It speaks to me of new beginnings, and the end of the anguish of the night. His limp also speaks to me of the scars we carry with us - they teach us and form us, but they don't stop us walking in the ways of God.

Thought: When you walk with Christ, what scars do you carry that speak of your testimony?

Living in grace

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Keeping company with God

Prayer is fundamentally about a fostering a deep relationship with God. As Clement of Alexandria described it: "prayer is happy company with God.”

One of the greatest compliments we could ever be given is that we are people who keep company with God. Enoch was one of these people and it was mentioned that he walked faithfully with God.

Genesis 5:24 - "Enoch walked faithfully with God..."

Philip Yancey added another dimension to these powerful words by suggesting that 'prayer means keeping company with a God who is already present."

Action: How are you able to keep company with God today?

Living in Grace

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The Highest Privilege

"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them." - Revelation 21:3

These words remind us of the coming glory of heaven, and the ultimate restoration of what was lost in the beginning (Genesis 3). However, they also reveal something deeply profound and exciting. There is the promise of walking with God again - if you read the verse again, you will notice this.

Charles Spurgeon puts it likes this:

“I do not think the glory of Eden lay in its grassy walks, or in the boughs bending with luscious fruit-but its glory lay in this, that the ‘Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day.’ Here was Adam’s highest privilege, that he had companionship with the Most-High.” (Spurgeon)

Thought: What does it mean for you to walk with the Lord and to know that God lives amongst us?

Living in Grace

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Seeing but not noticing

 

As I was reading Genesis 42 this week, the following words left an impression on me:

"Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him." - Genesis 42:8

And I wondered, WHY? 

Why did they not recognize him? Had he changed so much in 13 years? Or were they just not expecting to see him at all, so there was no expectation that he would be standing in front of them?

This led me to some verses in the New Testament, where people didn't recognize Jesus either. Some of them did eventually have their 'aha' moments, but others still couldn't see him.

Luke 24:31 - Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

John 1:10 - He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

Thought: How do we recognize Christ in our everyday lives? Do we truly have eyes to see him? What gifts of God are right in front of us, but we refuse to notice them?

Living in Grace

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A message even in a dark place

“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name” (Jeremiah 33: 1-2)

These words from the prophet Jeremiah, are part of our lectionary reflections for the first Sunday in Advent. The one thing that struck me in this verse is that God speaks to Jeremiah in the midst of his confinement. Even though he was in prison, the Lord still communicates with him. 

How often do we feel as if we are in a dark place? A prison of sorts? We can be excused for thinking that God may have forgotten us, but it is precisely in these moments that Christ wants to speak to us.

Genesis 39:21 - "But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love."

"God speaks in the silence of the heart." - Mother Teresa

Living in Grace

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Walking with a limp

I was reading a quote from Brian McLaren, that spoke of 'admitting that we walk with a limp.' It was in the context of speaking of Church Orthodoxy and Faith, but I like the concept he was suggesting. 

How often do we, as Christians, pretend that all is well and that we have all things figured out? We do this to cover up our own questions, fears and failings. It is as if we carry an injury with us, but we are too proud to walk with the limp - we want to give the impression that we are strong and healthy. Yet, that is living a lie.

The longer I serve Jesus, the more I see that indeed I walk with a limp. I am wounded and God is okay with my wounds. I will keep following in the ways of Jesus, even if I walk with a spiritual limp. 

As we reflect on this, we are drawn to the familiar story of Jacob. We find it in Genesis 31:

24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.

28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip."

If God could walk with Jacob, and still choose him to become Israel (Genesis 32:28), then we are in great company.

Thought: Don't be afraid to walk in the footsteps of Christ, even if your walk is not perfect.

Living in Grace

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Reflections on Worker's Day

Most of us have a 'love-hate' relationship with our work and places of employment. Many people that I speak to, long to be doing something else and they find themselves trapped in a work situation because it 'pays the bills.' There are a small percentage of people who earn a living doing what they simply love, and you can usually tell who these people are.

As we celebrate National Workers Day on the 1st of May, I invite us to remember a few things and then to offer a simple prayer:

1. God also worked. "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 2:2-4 

2. Work doesn't need to be a punishment. We can glorify God and serve God's purposes through our places of work.

3. There are millions of people who would love to work but can't find a job. Think about what this does to their self-esteem and dignity.

4. Give thanks for the ability to carry out your work. For healthy bodies and minds. 

5. Not all workers are treated well. Many are abused and paid poorly. Ask yourself: "How can I set a different example?" If you employ people, ask how you can treat them with greater dignity and respect. 

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the gift of being able to work. Sometimes we struggle to see the blessing in what we do, but we ask you to give us insight into each situation. Help us to serve you and others in our places of employment and also in our homes. We pray for those who are desperately seeking work - may they would not lose heart. May we also learn to see each of our colleagues as you would see them and to love them appropriately. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Living in Grace

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Hiding from God?

Genesis 3:8 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

What makes us hide from the Lord?

In the Genesis account we see that for Adam and Eve it was their shame and fear of what the Lord would say about their sin. For us it could be many things, but we still often try to hide from God, when we choose to go our own way.

Thought: Perhaps we should not be hiding from God, but rather hiding in God.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

Living in Grace

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Perspective makes all the difference

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20

These words from Joseph have always challenged me on the topic of perspective. So often we find ourselves in difficult circumstances and we wonder why God has allowed these things to unfold. We question God's plans for our lives, and we see all setbacks as God's failure to honour his commitment to our lives. It takes an incredible amount of wisdom and faith to trust in God's sovereignty, despite what the situation may look like. 

“It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.”
― George Eliot

Living in Grace

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God hears us

As we found out yesterday, God speaks to us in many different ways. However, it is also very important to remember that God also hears us when we cry out to him. In today's reading we will see how the writer of Genesis makes this very point:

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. 8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.

9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” 10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

11 And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. (Genesis 16:7-11)

Reflection:

1. How does the knowledge that 'God hears' make you feel today?

2. Did you notice the other questions that the angel asks Hagar (in verse 8)?

3. How would you answer those questions?

"There is indeed a God that hears and sees whate'er we do." - Plautus

Living in Grace

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Loving the unloved

"When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive..." - Genesis 29:31

"The text says that when the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he loved her. God was saying, 'I am the real bridegroom. I am the husband of the husbandless. I am the father of the fatherless.' This is the God who saves by grace. The Gods of moralistic religions favour the successful and the overachievers. They are the ones who climb the moral ladder up to heaven. But the God of the Bible is the one who comes down into this world to accomplish a salvation and give us a grace we could never attain ourselves." - Tim Keller

What do you think and feel about this quote? It may lead us to ask a whole lot of other questions, but on a simple level I am drawn to the idea that God loves those who feel unloved. This is the underlying message of the gospel too - that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Those who are written off by the rest of society are loved by Jesus.

Living in Grace

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Which mask today? Why we choose to wear masks to hide our true selves.

I jumped into the car the other morning worrying that I had forgotten my mask. I needn't have worried as there were 3 or 4 masks lying around inside the car, some needing to be disposed of, but others ready for a wash and another day in business. As I reversed out the driveway this thought struck me: 

"Is this how we start our days albeit a little subconsciously? We think about who were are going to meet and then decide which mask we are going to wear? I am off to work so I need to put the "I'm all together" mask on. Or I am off to church so let me put the "deeply spiritual" mask on? Or we are going out to be with acquaintances so the most suitable mask will be the "I am fine" mask. Is this how we live our lives?"

The trouble with living like this is that we get caught up in changing the masks all the time, until eventually we wear the wrong mask at an awkward time and suddenly we feel exposed. We can't keep up the pretence forever.

I am thankful that God knows who we are even before we put the masks on and that Jesus doesn't require us to pretend when we come to him. We are invited to come 'as we are' and God will embrace us in that moment. 

Joshua 7:19 - “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and honour him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

Genesis 28:15 - "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Living in Grace

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What does God intend?

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20

This verse popped up again this last week and it always leaves me feeling hopeful. These words come at the end of Joseph's long journey through pain, slavery, prison and finally vindication. Joseph has spiritually reached a place where he is able to see God's bigger guiding hand at work in his life. I am not sure he displayed as much faith and trust in God's purposes, when he was stuck in the dark pit, or the prison cell, but to his credit Joseph kept believing in the miracles of God.

What about us? Have we learnt over the years to trust in the hand of God or do we still try and wrestle with God's ways?

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Living in Grace

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It Slipped my Mind

                                                

I am sure that we have all used this idiom before - "It completely slipped my mind!" In fact, I just used it a few minutes ago and this is what prompted me to write this post. I am not sure of the origins of this idiom, but according to google it first came into use in 1340 - that is a long, long time ago.

I was intrigued with the 'slip' part of the idiom and apparently it originated from a connection with when you are walking and you slip. When this happens you end up falling over. And so, when something 'falls' from your memory it was said to 'slip your mind.'

There are a number of times in the Scriptures where people forgot the Lord and allowed important things to slip their minds. Take poor Joseph as an example - "Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him (Genesis 40:23). The Israelites also forgot the ways of God on more than one occasion - "But they forgot the Lord their God" (1 Samuel 12:9).

I am most grateful that even though we may forget God at times, that the Lord never allows us to fall from his memory. That is incredible news for us today.

Isaiah 49:15 - "Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."

Living in Grace

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Turned for good

 Genesis 50:20 - Joseph wrote about his brothers, "You meant to throw me in the pit for evil, but God turned it for good for the saving of many lives."

There is such a lot of negative and "bad stuff" that happens in our world, that it leaves even the greatest optimist filled with second thoughts.  When I read the story of Joseph, and especially this verse, it gives me some hope. What could potentially derail us, may just end up being used to bear witness to Jesus and help a lot of other people.

Hang in there if you feel as if you have been thrown into the pit - God has a way of graciously bringing good from this.

Living in Grace

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Let there be light

 

In our cold winter's mornings it is so helpful to have electricity to light up our rooms. Getting dressed for work or school is tough without any light. In fact, having Light makes all the difference for our entire daily routine.

And so, I believe that having the Light of Christ makes an even bigger difference in our lives. Knowing that the darkness we encounter will be overcome by the Light keeps us living in Hope. Whatever is making your life seem dark at the moment, turn to Jesus and ask him to shine his light into your heart. 

Genesis 1:3 -  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Living in Grace
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Looking to the Finger Posts

 

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement." - Charles F. Kettering

Okay, I am going to admit something - I had to google what 'finger posts' are? I know it is terrible of me, but I was a little confused and so I needed to figure it out. I know 'finger posts' as 'sign posts' or 'guide posts', but in essence they are the same thing. Technically a finger post has a few signs (fingers) on the same post and these all point in a different direction - they are usually seen in the UK and Ireland.

Anyway, I am getting distracted. My point relates to the initial quote from Kettering. He makes the observation that any 'failure' we experience is really just a way of pointing us in the right direction. If we believe that God is our GUIDE and that God will lead us where we need to go, then our failures are not fatal and God will still get us home.

I hope this offers you some hope today. Follow the finger posts and see where God is leading you.

Genesis 24:49 - Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.”

Living in Grace
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No Ordinary people - C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis - “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Very few people are interested in others. If you really find their story interesting, and care about them, they may open up to you and want to hear your story—Christ’s story.”

This is a hard thing to do, because there are so many "grumpy" people out there, but the next person you speak to, reflect on the fact that they are made in the image of God. This then makes them someone who is "extraordinary". 
Try it and see what happens.

Genesis 1:27 -  So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Living in Grace
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Answered prayer

As you may well know the Western Cape has been praying for rain for a long long time. In fact, people all around the country and even overseas have been pleading for rain for months on end. Over the last few weeks we have seen a lot of rain fall in the Cape and although far from ending the drought, we must pause and say THANK YOU. We need to say thanks to the Lord for answered prayer and remain humble in our prayers. 

There is nothing more frustrating that being asked for something and then not being thanked when the request is answered. In the same way, I am sure that it delights God when we take the time to say "Thanks."

 

Psalm 120:1 - I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

 

Genesis 30:22 -Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.

Genesis 35:3 - We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.

Living in Grace
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A Sense of Humour

I wonder if God inspired these words for my three sons?

Genesis 45:24 - "Then he sent his brothers off. As they left he told them, “Take it easy on the journey; try to get along with each other.”

 

I sure hope that my three boys will get along on the journey to Cape Town, but anyone who has been on a long road trip knows that this is not always the case. I am sure there will be lots of arguing along the way....

.... and yes, I am sure we will be asked a few times .... "Are we there yet!?"

 

If you are on the journey towards the birth of Jesus, then 'take it easy and try to get along with each other."

 

Living in Grace

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