How far would you go?

How far would you go to get something or to achieve a goal? 

Thomas a Kempis, who wrote in the 14th Century, made an interesting observation of his peers: 

"For a small reward people will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step." 

Following Jesus is a challenging calling - how far are you willing to go in order to keep your faith?

John 6:67-69

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Living in Grace

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Overcoming ourselves

Thomas a' Kempis wrote in the 15th Century, “the hardest struggle is the struggle to overcome ourselves." I think that what he could have meant by this is that we are often our own worst enemy. We struggle with our faults, short-comings and sins, wondering if God could even love us. This can sometimes move us away from the embrace of our loving God. Thankfully we have Jesus who has paved the way for our salvation and he is the ultimate victor.  

What things in your life do you struggle with? 

Do you find that your mind plays tricks on you? Does your mind sometimes run away from you so that your biggest struggle is with yourself? If you can relate to this, then I pray that these scriptures help you today.

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.

Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Living in Grace

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Self-reflection

Our world has fast fallen into a place where we enjoy elevating the sins and faults of others, most especially on social media. Sadly, us Christians have also taken up this practise in a mistaken claim of piety. However, I think it has more to do with us feeling 'better' about our own sins when we can point out the 'worse' sins in our neighbour. This is purely deflective behaviour - if I can cause enough noise on this issue, it will distract you from noticing my true faults and shortcomings.

Thomas a Kempis wrote clearly on this issue:

"Turn your attention upon yourself and beware of judging the deeds of other men, for in judging others a man labours vainly, often makes mistakes, and easily sins; whereas, in judging and taking stock of himself he does something that is always profitable."

In my words - We should all practise more self-reflection! This is what will change and transform our lives.

Living in Grace
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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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Bear with me

"If you wish people to bear with you, you must bear with them." - Thomas a Kempis

We sometimes ask people to 'bear with us' for a moment - and this could be for a number of different reasons. Maybe we are running late or going through a tough time. It could be that we haven't finished the project or forgot to buy something important from the shops. To ask someone else to 'bear with us' invites them to be PATIENT with us. If you like, it asks for a little 'Grace' in the midst of a tough time.

When we read Thomas a Kempis' quote we note that if we ask for others to 'bear with us', then we need to be willing to offer them the same grace when they ask it from us.

Ephesians 4:2 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Colossians 3:13 -  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Living in Grace
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Changing others is not easy

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." -Thomas a'Kempis.

We are often frustrated at how slowly other people are willing to change, but we forget how resistant we are to change. The changes we need to make in our lives are equally 'slow' for those who love us, or those who have to work with us. Paul understands our human nature well when he writes:

 ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" - Romans 7

We should ask ourselves this question today:

What needs to change in me? 

Once we have been honest with that question, then we can begin to point out the faults in others.

Living in Grace

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Uproot

Most of you know this already, but let us hear it again. It is no good cutting the weeds in our gardens, we need to actually uproot them. It may look like we can get rid of them, by simply cutting them with the weed-eater, but in a few days they will grow back.

It is the same with the sin in our lives. We mustn't fool ourselves and merely think that we can "cut it out" for a while - we need to uproot these areas in our lives and then ask God to fill the gap with his grace and love.

So what 'weeds' need some uprooting today?

Matthew 15:13 - "He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots."

Matthew 13: 40 - “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age."

"If only such people were as diligent in the uprooting of vices and the planting of virtues as they are in the debating of problems, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor such laxity in communities." - Thomas a Kempis

Uproot the sin in your life - don't just cut it down for a few days!

Living in Grace
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The sacred blessing

There were only a few things that Jesus instructed his disciples to do after he had gone. One of those was to share in a meal of Remembrance, which is called by many different names - Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper, The Eucharist, Mass, A Love Feast and so on.

Believers approach this awesome meal from different angles, all seeking to express our devotion to Jesus. Some communities make the Lord's Supper open to all people and allow it to be instituted by any believer, while other churches require an Ordained person to bless the elements first. I am not going to get into the different theolgies today, but I want to invite us into a reflection on how we 'personally' experience this meal.

I think the following thoughts may be a helpful starting point:

"If the Lord's Supper were served in only one place, by only one ordained person in the world, many would make a sacred pilgrimage to experience it. But Communion celebrations are offered everywhere... This Communion is health to my soul and body." - Thomas a Kempis

As I read this I reflected on how I easily forget the massive gift Communion is to me. It is always a reminder of God's grace and mercy, revealed in the person of Jesus. I pray that the next time I share in this 'Gift' that I am touched by the Love of Jesus again.

Living in Grace
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The Cross

As Christians the Cross is our iconic "logo". We are recognised by it, and we use the Cross to show our allegiance to Jesus Christ. The cross says it all - it speaks of suffering, grace, healing, forgiveness, victory, peace and love. Just simply by drawing the cross on a piece of paper or even in the sand, we make a statement of faith. In the Cross we have a symbol that speaks with a million voices...

“In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life;

in the Cross is protection against our enemies;

in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness;

in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit;

 in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness.

There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Inner Life

Living in Grace

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Above All

"For you, O Lord my God, are above all things the best. You alone are most high, You alone are most sufficient and most satisfying, You alone most sweet and consoling. You alone are most beautiful and loving, You alone most noble and glorious above all things." - Thomas a Kempis 

As I read this words this morning, I thought of the worship song, 'Above All' - these words express a similar sentiment to the words of Thomas a Kempis above:

 "Above all powers, Above all Kings,
Above all nature and all created things,
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man,
You were here before the world began." - Michael W. Smith

May God bless you today as you seek to honour Him above everything else.
 Living in Grace
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Admitting our weakness

Today's reflection from our friend, Thomas, makes interesting reading. It still amazes me that he was writing in a totally different era to us (early 15th century) and yet I feel as if he is writing with an acute knowledge of our times.

"What a strange life! Trouble and misery are always in stock. Traps and enemies are abundant. When one problem retreats, another takes its place. And sometimes the second difficulty doesn't wait for the first to be resolved."

It is in the context of the life's troubles that he realizes his need of God. Thomas a Kempis needed to admit his own weaknesses. "You know how frail I am Lord. Have mercy on me."

Identifying our weaknesses and then admitting them to Jesus is a hard thing. As Humbling as it can be, I feel it puts us in a great place to receive mercy from God.

What are your weaknesses? Are you willing to admit them to God today?

Living in grace
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A bright hope

"Although life can be bleak, it can become bright again with Your help." - Thomas a Kempis

It only takes a few cold, miserable, wet days to make us all feel a little down and depressed. Life seems bleak and it may seem like the sun will never shine again. However, we know that it will reappear soon and then things will be bright and warm again.

The same can be said of things in our lives. It may seem 'bleak' for you at the moment, but trust in Jesus to make it 'bright' again. God knows your situation and His light will shine into your life.

Living in Grace
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The power of Influence

"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another." - George Eliot

Is there someone who has influenced your life? It could be from a spiritual perspective, or someone who has influenced your career, sport or even your hobby? Influence is such a powerful thing and we should never underestimate it.

Reflecting on Thomas a Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" I can see how he influenced John Wesley in many ways. One of the things which Wesley introduced was an Annual Covenant service, where Christians we encouraged to renew their commitment to Jesus. The words of the Covenant prayer are profound and challenging, but I ask you to read these words from Thomas a Kempis and spot the similarity with the Covenant prayer.

"Do with me whatever you choose, because it can only be good. If you want me to be in darkness, I will bless you; if you want me to be in light, I will bless you again. If I am comforted, I will be grateful; and If I am afflicated, I will be equally grateful...

... for you sake, I will gladly bear what I must, wherever it may be. I will accept good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and sorrow, and for all of it I will give you thanks."

So, as you go about your tasks today, stop and think what influence you may have on someone else. We just never know what we may pass on to someone else.

Living in Grace

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You are right!

How often have you cared to admit that someone else may be right and we may be wrong? It is not an easy thing to admit that we are wrong, but we can't always be right. In fact, it borders on pride, if we are never humble enough to admit we may have got something wrong.

In his short reflection on 'Trusting God', Thomas a Kempis, writes:

"Lord, You are right. You care about me more than I care about myself."

There are times that we fall into a trap of believing that God doesn't care about us or that God doesn't know better, but that is incorrect. God does love us and God wants to lead us into paths that are best for us. We just need to learn to say, "Lord, I trust you and you are right!"

Read: Matthew 6 as a reminder that God takes care of us.

Living in Grace
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IF

"If you abandon us, we sink and perish;
but if you come to us, we are raised up and we live.
We are unstable, but you make us stand firm;
we are cold, but you inspire us." - Thomas a Kempis

We can sometimes go crazy asking the "what if" questions....
"What if" this happens or "what if" that happens."IF" can be such an uncertain word.

We can never know what tomorrow holds for us, but we can know a few things for certain:

• God loves us
• God wants to make us whole
• God knows us
• God cares for us
• God speaks to us

"...if God comes to us, we are raised up and live!"

Now, that is something worth giving thanks for.

Living in Grace
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What do you have to complain about?

It was this question that got me thinking today?

"What do you have to complain about?" (Thomas a Kempis)

Of course I have a few things that I feel I could complain about right now (and I am sure you do also):
The poor service delivery in our city.
The weakening Rand.
The political situation in our country.
Bad drivers.
Rising cost of living.

My leaking roof!
______________ (you fill the space)

But then it struck me - do I really need to complain about all these things? How blessed I am in so many other areas. Sure, there are many things wrong in our city and country, but there are loads of great things that we could celebrate.

In a spiritual sense, we are greatly blessed by God's mercy and grace. God could complain about us on so many levels. God could create an endless list of the ways I mess up everyday. He could call it: "The Thousand ways Delme messed up today!"
And if he kept score, then I would be damned - pure and simple! I would stand no chance. But thankfully God offers me grace instead of judgement. I am a blessed man.

Thomas a Kempis adds, "If you were to receive what you earned, you would be condemned to hell. But I have spared you because you are precious to me. I want you to know my love."

Worth thinking about!

Living in Grace
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Peace

"O Lord, my God, I know that patience is necessary for me because many things disturb me every day. No matter what plans I make to keep myself at peace, I cannot avoid life's struggle and sorrow." - Thomas a Kempis

Life is a struggle. We will have difficulties and challenges, but the only one who can give us peace is Jesus. Turn to the Lord today and may His spirit bring you peace.

Living in Grace
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Being content

Contentment is something that many of us wrestle with. We wonder how much is enough? We look across at our neighbours and wish we had what they've got? We think that some people have got it all together - and we long for more!

The Bible reminds us to be content with what we have. This is not a ploy to make us unambitious or lazy, but rather it is just a reality check - it teaches us to count our blessings before we long for more and more.

Psalm 17:15 - "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face."

Philippians 4:12 -  "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want..."

Thomas a Kempis writes...."you will learn to be content with little, to be pleased with simple things, and not to complain about inconveniences."

Living in Grace
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Waterfall

Have you ever pictured God's Love as a flowing river or waterfall? If you imagine standing at the Victoria Falls (or even at the Howick Falls in the Midlands) and watching the water flow over the falls - it is a visual reminder of God's constant love. As water falls down to the pools below, so it is replaced by more water at the top - a continual cycle of life-giving water.

And so, God's love falls upon us, day in and day out. We may not notice it today, but it is still there and it will keep flowing. May we take the time to notice the love of God this week.

"You are a waterfall of unceasing Love." - Thomas a Kempis

In some translations of Thomas a Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ, the word for waterfall is actually 'Fountain'. This reminds me of the following old hymn.

"Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise His Name I'm fixed upon it
Name of God's redeeming love." - Robert Robinson (aged 22)

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Be grateful

"You only realised what you had when it's gone!"

How many times have you heard this saying before? A few, I am sure. Even though we may have heard this saying a number of times before, we still need to be reminded to be grateful. So why don't you take a moment to thank God for everyone/everything in your life - offer them all up to God in prayer.

Perhaps even send them a message of appreciation too!

"He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan..." - Luke 17:15-16

"I have given you everything you have and I want you to be grateful. This will check pride." - Thomas a Kempis

Living in Grace
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