Dragons and fairy tales

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” ― G.K. Chesterton

There is something intriguing about this quote - perhaps it is because most children love fairy-tales or that we grow up wanting to believe in heroes and 'knights in shining armour.' 

My immediate thought was how this quote speaks into our experience of Faith. We don't need to be reminded that evil exists (these are the dragons), but rather that Christ has overcome all of our dragons. The stories of faith, found the Bible, remind us that Christ is victorious and these should inspire us to place our trust in the One who defeats all evil.

Jeremiah 1:19 - They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Living in Grace

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Strength to overcome

                                                    

In a brilliant piece of writing Howard Thurman reflects on his own need of God’s strength to overcome the evil temptations in his own life. His poem is entitled I seek the strength to overcome evil, and is one of the most vulnerable and honest pieces I have read for a while.

As you read this, I invite you to make these words your prayer and to ask God to give you the strength to overcome the barriers in your life.

“I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I recognize the tendency to do the unkind thing when the mood of retaliation or revenge rides high in my spirit;

I recognize the tendency to make others a means to my own end;

I recognized the tendency to yield to fear and cowardice when fearlessness and courage seem to fit easily into the pattern of my security.

I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I recognize the evil in much of the organized life around me;

I recognize the evil in the will to power as found in groups, institutions and individuals;

I recognize the terrible havoc of hate and bitterness which make for fear and panic in the common life.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I seek the strength to overcome evil; I must not be overcome by evil.

I seek the purification of my own heart, the purging of my own motives;

I seek the strength to withstand the logic of bitterness, the terrible divisiveness of hate, the demonic triumph of the conquest of others.

What I seek for myself I desire with all my heart for friend and foe alike.

I seek the strength to overcome evil.”

Psalm 119:133 - Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Living in Grace

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Not Overcome

"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord." - Jeremiah 1:19 

Julian of Norwich reflected on this message of Jeremiah in her work entitled Showings. She writes:

"And these words: You will not be overcome, were said very insistently and strongly, for certainty and strength against every tribulation which may come. God did not say: You will not be assailed, you will not be belaboured, you will not be disquieted, but God said: YOU WILL NOT BE OVERCOME. God wants us to pay attention to his words, and always be strong in our certainty, in well-being and in woe, for God loves us and delights in us."

Perhaps there are a few of us who need to hear these words today:
Wehn God is with us, we will not be overcome!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Moving mountains

Singing 'Mighty to Save' again this evening, I was taken aback by the power of the following promise:

"Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save." - Hillsong

As you start a new week, remember that Jesus can move mountains in your life. Our God is able to help us overcome any challenges that we may be facing. And if it means we have to climb the mountain for a time, God will use that experience to strengthen us and to prepare us for something else.

God can move the mountain!

Matthew 17:20 - Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Living in Grace
D3LM3