As the dust settles

The anticipation of the Resurrection has been fulfilled. We arrived at this glorious reminder on Sunday morning. It is a miraculous sign of Hope in our world filled with darkness and fear. When the followers of Jesus thought that evil and death had won, God revealed his ultimate hand and raised Jesus from the dead. 

This miracle will keep perplexing us, just as it did the first eyewitnesses, but when the dust settles, we will need to live with conviction and belief. Of course, not all of us are like Simon Peter or John - some of us are more inclined to be like Thomas - but we are all given the choice to 'see and believe.' 

For the followers of Jesus, he is not a dead hero, but a living person. It would be very sad to follow someone who had their 5 minutes of fame but then faded into history. The story of Jesus is far more remarkable than that - and we are invited to witness to this miracle. 

For this to take place, I believe we all need an encounter with the Lord - this is where we are moved to faith. This is my prayer for you - may we all experience the Risen Lord.

Matthew 28:6 - He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.

He is Risen indeed!

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Getting onto the streets

I am grateful for the challenge that comes to us from these words of Dallas Willard. In his work, The Spirit of the Disciplines, he says:

"Holiness and devotion must now come forth from the closet and the chapel to possess the street and the factory, the schoolroom and the boardroom, the scientific laboratory and the governmental office.

Instead of a select few making religion their life, with the power and inspiration realised through the spiritual disciplines, all of us can make our daily lives and vocations be 'the house of God and the gate of heaven,' 

I can - and must - happen."

I have had many conversations with Christ-followers wrestling with a sense of calling. Their initial thoughts are always drawn towards fulltime ministry, because this is what we have led people to believe "serving God" looks like. However, God needs his home to be set up in all places and all over the world. 

So, if you are feeling prompted to serve God in some way, my first comment would be: Love God and Love People, where you ARE at the moment. I bet that there are people in your community who need to experience the love of Christ today. 

Matthew 28:18-20 - "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message)

Living in grace

D3LM3

 

Deluxe version?

If you were asked the question: "Are you are Christian?", most of us reading this post would answer 'Yes!'

But, if we were asked: "Are you a disciple of Christ?", there would be a few of us who may be tempted to say, "I am not that radical as yet!"

In truth, the Bible speaks very little about being a 'Christian' (it is only mentioned 3 times), whereas the Scriptures speak a great deal about being a 'disciple' of Christ (this is mentioned over 260 times). 

So, the challenge is clearly there before us - we have not been called to merely claim that we believe in Jesus, and that a few committed people are called disciples - as if they are the deluxe version of the ordinary Christian. We are all called to be DISCIPLES of Jesus. There is no wriggle room in this decision.

Dallas Willard says - "If we intend to become like Christ, that will be obvious to every thoughtful person around us, as well as to ourselves." 

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

Living in Grace

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer prayer

                                                
                                                            

"In me there is darkness,

But with thee there is light,

I am lonely, but thou leavest me not.

I am feeble in heart, but thou leavest me not.

I am restless, but with thee there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with thee there is patience;

Thy ways are past understanding, but

Thou knowest the way for me." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This prayer reminded me of a few scriptures. I am not sure which passages came to mind for you, but these are the ones I thought of. God bless you.

Matthew 28:20 - "Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:27 - “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

28 - Between fear and joy

It struck me today how close together the emotions of 'fear' and 'joy' are. For Mary and the disciples this was their reality on that first Easter experience:

"...afraid yet filled with joy"

There is so much to ponder in these 5 words....
 
It is fear that brings us to our knees and leaves us tempted to run away. 
It is fear that drives away our hope and dreams.
Fear builds and builds until we find ourselves entrapped in our darkest moments.
Fear threatens to dissolve all of our will to live. 

And yet...
In one historic moment all of our fears are surrounded by a Voice. 
And as that Voice speaks, it says: Don't let this fear overwhelm you.

"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6)

As the chains of fear crumble around our feet, we comprehend a liberation like no other. The Voice catches us by surprise and the darkness of fear, which once threatened to crush the living breath out of our souls, is replaced with a brilliant Light. 

Light gives birth to sight.
Sight reveals an empty tomb.
And the open grave echoes with Joy.

Reflection: 
"May the Joy of Christ's Resurrection transform your fear into indescribable peace and hope."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Absence of danger?

What do you make of these words?

"The Christian finds safety not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God." - Anon

Thomas a Kempis wrote something similar in the Imitation of Christ. He said,
"When Jesus is present, all is good and nothing seems difficult;
but when Jesus is absent, all is hard."

I find these words quite reassuring today, because it is our natural inclination to run away from trials and hardships, or at least to play it safe. However, LIFE always presents us with struggles and it is then that we need to remember that God is present with us.

"Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20

Living in Grace
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