Letting someone else lead us

We are not good at letting someone else lead us. We usually like to be in control and to call the shots. Jesus makes it clear, that when it comes to being a disciple, we must choose to let him lead us. There is no other way:

^34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. (Mark 8 - Eugene Peterson)

Thought: What do you find hard about sitting in the passenger seat? 

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” —John C. Maxwell

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War and Peace

In searching for some words of wisdom to mark the transition into 2024 I stumbled upon the wise words of Benjamin Franklin. “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man (and woman).” 

For me, his words sum up the overall spirit of starting another year. We are deeply aware of our faults and short-comings, and we desire to change them. However, change is not an easy exercise for us all, but there is always the motivation to become a better human being. I also believe that seeking 'peace' with our neighbor's is a great way to minimize conflict and anxiety.

As followers of Jesus, we remember that Jesus actually put us onto this same path nearly 17 centuries earlier than Mr. Franklin. Jesus said:

"He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” - Luke 10:27

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” - Mark 11:25

I pray that 2024 holds much Hope, Peace, Love and Joy for you all.

Living in Grace

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James the Elder - a committed follower of Christ

The 25th of July marks a day of remembering St. James, Jesus' disciple. To be truly honest, I didn't really know when this day was celebrated until this year, and it was committing to walk the Camino that brought me face to face with the life of James the Elder. In the scriptures we know that James and his brother John, were the sons of Zebedee and were called to follow Jesus.

"Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them..." - Matthew 4:21

He is called James the Elder (or James the Greater) not because he was more holy than the other disciple, also named James (son of Alpheaus), but probably because he was older than him. The story of his life seems to indicate that he was the first disciple martyred for his faith (by Herod Agrippa). You will find a record of this event in Acts 12.

What is interesting is that James has become the patron Saint of Spain, and this is where the link with the Camino comes in. Christians throughout Spain use the public holiday afforded to them on the 25th of July, to remember the life of James. He is supposedly buried in the city of Santiago, which is why millions of pilgrims walk these routes every year. It is hoped that as one undertakes the long journey to the city of St. James, that we would ponder our own faith and commitment to Christ. If called upon, would we be willing to lay everything down for the gospel and to follow Jesus?

It is true that James was one of Jesus' inner circle and we would do well to remember his life and sacrifice. 

"After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone." - Mark 9:2

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There is a remedy, but we don't think we need it

Life is busy! Actually, a better way to describe it is this: Life is relentless. 

We never seem to get a break or catch our breath. We are rushing from one thing to the next, giving ourselves little time to even process our emotions along the way. And the result of all of this is that more and more of us are feeling exhausted and ready to scream. We constantly ask the question: Is it ever going to stop!? And in truth, if we don't do something about it, then this same cycle will continue, perpetually! It won't stop if we don't so something about it.

Ecclesiastes 7:39 – “God made man simple: man’s complex problems are of his own devising.” (Jerusalem Bible)

At the core of our culture of busyness, is our reluctance to take a Sabbath rest. Perhaps it is because we are afraid to fall behind the racing pack, or we argue that we can't afford the time to recreate ourselves. However, in truth, we are harming ourselves in the long run. We are not able to perform at our peak, because our bodies and minds are exhausted. Our mental health has taken a hit and we are left fending off all kinds of demons in our minds. 

But God has already given us a remedy, but we don't think we need God's advice. We think we know better. We think that taking some time to rest is seen as a failure. However, the irony is that when we do take some time out or even a short holiday, we usually come back stronger, more focussed and more energised to do our work and to be present with our loved ones.

So, perhaps God knows best after all. It may be wise for us to listen to his advice. Our health depends on it. 

Mark 2:27 - Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

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Probing questions

When a rich young man came to Jesus to seek his advice, Jesus didn’t hide from his challenging questions, but he also didn’t make it easy for him. In an ironic twist, Jesus knew what this young man was hiding in his heart and so Jesus challenged him to give that "idol" up. 

Even when the young man refused Jesus' challenge, we note Jesus' response:

"Jesus looked at him and loved him." - Mark 10:21

If God asks us probing questions it is not to be malicious in any way, but rather to get us to see what God already sees. If there are issues in my life that prevent me from living an 'abundant life' then I would want a gracious God to speak into my life.

What about you?

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Missing out on what stares us in the face

As history would confirm, the Emperor Vespasian was born on the 17th November 9AD. Obviously not short on confidence, he once remarked: "Dear me, I believe I am becoming a god. An emperor ought at least to die on his feet." 

It is ironic that he lived at the same time as Jesus and yet was not able to appreciate that the Son of God graced the same planet as he did. He was too busy appreciating himself in the mirror that he forgot to look around and notice that the Messiah had come. 

Sometimes we are all guilty of missing out on the truth that stares us in the face.

Mark 8:18 - Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?

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Superficial

 

"Superficiality is the curse of our age." - Richard Foster

There are many levels on which I agree with Richard Foster's quote. The greatest irony is that we live in a time where we can be connected to people globally in a split-second, yet we still feel alone and isolated. Is this because our modern forms of technology can do nothing to bring about 'deep' relationships. It is easy to have thousands of friends on social media, but which of those friends can you truly be yourself with? 

Of course, superficiality is not new. Even in Jesus' time people could choose to put on a 'mask' in public or tried to hide their true selves from others. Thankfully, Jesus was always able to cut through the facade and to address the real needs of the people. 

Mark 2:8 - Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?

How deep are your friendships at the moment?

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I call you "Daughter!"

                                                        

Carrying on with yesterday's story from Mark 5, which includes the unnamed woman who had been suffering with a Haemorrhage for 12 years, we note something remarkable....

Although she has not been given a name (by Mark) she would have obviously had her own name. Jesus knows that she is a person of value, and despite her suffering, Jesus calls her by a new name in this powerful account.

Jesus calls her 'Daughter', which may seem like a generic term to most of us, but for this woman it would have been life-changing. Not only was she excluded from worship (for at least 12 years), but she was yet to encounter the Messiah. This moment, brings her physical healing and the beautiful gift of becoming a child of God.

Isaiah 62:2 -"The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow."

Thought: Sometimes we have to go through trials and suffering to truly discover that we are valued and loved by God. God knows our names and he calls us to be a part of his family.

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Trying to understand Jesus

                                        

When we read through the accounts of Jesus we may not initially understand what he was up to. For example, this week I was sharing around Mark 5 (the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years) and how when she had received healing by touching Jesus's cloak, Jesus wanted to know who had touched him. At first glance it may seem that Jesus is drawing attention to this unnamed woman that could be embarrassing for her - I mean, why not simply let her go home and enjoy her moment?

The reason why Jesus wants to know who has touched his cloak is not for his sake, but rather for her sake. As David Smith suggests: "she would have lost the chief blessing of her life" if she had simple melted back into the crowd. Jesus understood that she needed more than physical healing only - she needed to know the PEACE of God upon her life and this is what he gives to her. Remember his words?

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from her suffering." (Mark 5:34)

Thought: Jesus's ways may not make sense to us at times, but do we trust that He has our best interests at heart?

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Calming presence - part 2

                                            

As we follow on from yesterday's post, which included an insightful devotion from Howard Thurman (Meditations of the Heart), let us take note of his insight into anxiety and how it impacts upon our relationship with God.

"One thing I know concerning my anxieties: they are real to me.

Sometimes they seem more real than the presence of God.

When this happens, they dominate my mood and possess my thoughts.

The presence of God does not always deliver me from anxiety but it always delivers me from anxieties. Little by little, I am beginning to understand that deliverance from anxiety

means fundamental growth in spiritual character and awareness.

It becomes a quality of being, emerging from deep within,

giving to all the dimensions of experience a vast immunity against being anxious.

A ground of calm underlies experiences whatever may be the tempestuous character of events.

This calm is the manifestation in life of the active,

dynamic Presence of God. God is present with me this day." - Howard Thurman

Again the words in bold are my 'take home' from his devotion. As you read his words, coupled with the life-giving gift of the Scriptures, may God's Spirit fill you with peace.

Mark 4:39 - "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season."

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Hard hearts

"God wants us to have soft hearts and hard feet. The trouble with so many of us is we have hard hearts and soft feet." - Jackie Pullinger

There is so much wisdom in this simple statement and yet the more I read it the more I am challenged! Jesus' feet were hard from the amount of walking he did and yet his heart remained 'soft' and compassionate towards those in need. 

I pray that my heart will not turn hard and my feet become lazy in sharing the Gospel.

"   Mark 16:15 - "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

    

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Words of wisdom from Alan Paton

“The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again.” - Alan Paton

Today marks the 115th birthday of Alan Paton and although he is no longer with us this words echo down the ages. I was fortunate enough to hear him speak when I was still a scholar - and I remember his presence was remarkable.

In the above quote, unknowingly Alan Paton speaks into a spiritual state that impacts many lives today. The broken world, in which we find ourselves, leads us to believe that broken things can't be mended. Yet, the message of the Gospel is that God is close to the broken-hearted and that Jesus wants to restore us.

Mark 3:5 - He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

May God restore the broken parts of our lives, so that we can testify to the goodness of the Father.

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Moved with compassion

› “Empathy: Your pain in my heart.” - Jess Lair.

When we walk close to the Lord we begin to understand the needs of others in a new way. We move from sympathy to EMPATHY. Allowing the pain of a fellow Christian to enter into our heart, is following in the way of Christ. We may not be able to solve the problem or make the pain go away but we can walk alongside those in need.  

Mark 1:41 - "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

In this week, where we remember 'Human Rights Day' (in South Africa), may we recognise the humanity in all people and be moved to compassion.

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