Broken hearts are everywhere

Irish Missionary, Amy Carmichael undertook a very serious calling to serve in the poor communities of India. She founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, which sought to rescue young girls from being enslaved in forced prostitution. One can only imagine some of the things that she saw in her ministry:

She wrote these words: "Broken hearts are everywhere. Bereavement is a very dark forest.”

Later on in life, when she faced her own pain and grief, she wrote:

“Look up to the light that pours into the forest from high above the trees. The long, pure rays of that conquering light are interwoven with the tall stems of the trees, even as threads bright and dark are interwoven with in the web of our lives.”

 These are such compelling words for us, especially when we find ourselves in dark places, or that we sense the "trees" closing in on us. Let us remember: 

“The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.” – Psalm 18:28

Living in Grace

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A connection between pain and healing

"In this crazy world, there is an enormous distinction between good times and bad, between sorrow and joy. But in the eyes of God, they're never separated. Where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the kingdom." - Henri Nouwen

These words of Henri Nouwen draw our attention to this following verse from 1 Peter, which shows us that the healing work of Jesus is done through his brokenness. His wounds offer us the gift of healing. It does seem hard to get our heads around this, but in time, we slowly comprehend this mystery.

1 Peter 2:24 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Jesus' death gives us life.

His pain offers us healing.

His loneliness invites us into the fellowship of the Father. 

Living in Grace

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Set a watch on my tongue

"Set a watch upon our tongue O Lord, that we may never speak the cruel word, which is untrue; or being true is not the whole truth; or being wholly true, is merciless; for the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." - William Barclay

We all know the hurt of harsh words spoken by others, especially when there is little understanding of the 'whole' story. Just as we are acutely aware of this pain, so may we then ask God to set a watch on our words, so that we don't inflict pain on others. 

James 1:26 - If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

Living in grace

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The Joy of the Lord is your strength

"And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” - Nehemiah 8:10

At this time of the year, we long for joy and happiness, and we are willing to seek it in all sorts of places. In my experience, Joy is not something we can buy, earn or even claim. However, we can 'receive' it - as a Gift of the Spirit. 

This JOY sustains us through all kinds of turbulence, crisis and stress. As much we hope that Christmas will be a time without pain and suffering, we realise that we live a world where these exist in abundance. However, it is my prayer that we come to experience the gift of JOY this year, through God's gracious Spirit.

o  Luke 2:10 – “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Living in Grace

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Still I rise

Maya Angelou wrote these words at a time of great struggle and pain in her life. What I love about the sentiment of her writing is that every one of us can relate to parts of her experience. Although the discrimination and rejection she went through are unique to her situation, they provide a link with all human suffering. Despite all of this, she still had the courage to state: STILL I WILL RISE!

“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.”

May you and I learn to RISE with Jesus Christ - he is the one who helps us overcome!

Living in Grace

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Remembering C.S. Lewis

Forgive me for being a day or two late, but the 22nd November marks the anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis. Needless to say he left a huge legacy in the literary arena, as well as in the church context. To honour his life and his contribution, I have chosen a few of his lesser known quotes to share with you. 

May God bless you as you read these today.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

“Crying is all right in its own way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.” 

“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” 

Which is your favourite C.S. Lewis quote of all time - please share it with me. Thanks.

Living in Grace

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Jumping hurdles

"Love recognises no barriers.
It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls,
to arrive at its destination full of hope." - Maya Angelou

I don't know why we think that LOVE is always going to be the easiest path to take. Often it is the harder of two choices. As Maya Angelou says, 'Love is willing to jump over all barriers and hurdles' in order to please the 'Other.'

When Christ contemplated the pain of the cross, it must have been a huge hurdle for him to overcome. However, as he scaled the heights of that pain and agony, he did so because of the Hope that awaited Him and ultimately, it is that Hope which is given to all of us.

May you journey through your day 'full of hope' and may your love recognise no barriers before you.

1 John 2:10 - "Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble."

Living in Grace
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Pain is never permanent

My students were doing their presentations on the Christian Mystics this morning and I was reminded of the spiritual depth of Theresa of Avila. She was a remarkable woman of God and her faith was deeply inspiring. It is important to note that her faith was NOT without huge pain and suffering and one reflects on how these difficulties shaped her spiritual life.

What you are facing now is not because God dislikes you, it is because God believes in you and is preparing you for some important work.

"All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding His life we find that He is the best example." - Theresa of Avila

"To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that."

"Pain is never permanent."

Revelation 21:4-5 - I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighbourhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.”

Living in Grace

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