Courage doesn't always Roar!

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Ann Radmacher

As I came across this quote this morning, I was reminded of how the disciples must have been feeling in the days after the Resurrection. They were feeling afraid and uncertain, yet Jesus was making them feel more and more at peace with the new 'normal.'  He was not going to leave them alone or unequipped for the task that lay ahead. 

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” - John 20:19-21

Thought: As we go into the post Easter season, let us remember that our strength and courage comes from the Spirit of Jesus. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Perspective makes all the difference

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20

These words from Joseph have always challenged me on the topic of perspective. So often we find ourselves in difficult circumstances and we wonder why God has allowed these things to unfold. We question God's plans for our lives, and we see all setbacks as God's failure to honour his commitment to our lives. It takes an incredible amount of wisdom and faith to trust in God's sovereignty, despite what the situation may look like. 

“It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.”
― George Eliot

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Contrast

"Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all.
But let them remember the days of darkness,
for there will be many.
Everything to come is meaningless." - Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

In these 2 verses there is a great deal of contrast in the images that Solomon shares. Perhaps this is why it is so revealing and challenging at the same time. Do you notice how he speaks about 'sweet light' and then 'days of darkness?' He also contrasts joy and meaninglessness. 

Solomon's overriding message to the next generation was clear - Life is a gift and we have little control over how things turn out, so let us enjoy what gifts God gives to us. 

This is so relevant for what we are experiencing at the moment during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. There seems to be no certainty anymore - darkness contrasts with moments of light and our joy is often threatened by meaninglessness.

The opening words of verse 7 are key for me today - each sunrise is pleasing to the soul - it reminds us that God has given us one more day to enjoy.

I am grateful for the purpose and love of Christ. It is in Jesus that I live, breathe and have my being.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Unsettled

"But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:6

As I read these words from James I am trying to work out if I am doubting the Lord in these uncertain times and I would have to say.... 'not really.' I am stumped in terms of what the future holds, but I don't believe I am doubting God's grace and love in the midst of this storm.

However, if I am being honest I must admit that I am feeling very unsettled. And James is so right when he says that being unsettled makes you feel like a wave of the sea, tossed about and blown everywhere by the wind. This is the time when we need to allow our stability to be found in the person of Jesus and not in our circumstances. Seasons will come and go, but the Love of God remains firm and secure.

The other thing about feeling unsettled is that it makes us start to become very miserable and our actions can easily hurt other people. We need to be on our guard against allowing our feelings to spill over into the lves of those we love.

“An unsettled person will constantly rant about inconsequential things” - Charmaine J Forde

Prayer: Lord, even though I am feeling unsettled in these turbulent times, teach me to place my trust and hope in you. You are the only stable Factor in my life at this time. Amen.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Uncertainty

I have found recently that many of the scriptures I know seem to take on a whole new meaning in the present circumstances in which we find ourselves. Take this one for example:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Timothy 6:17)

Although I have never thought of myself as being arrogant, I do realise how easy it is to put our hope in the material things of the world. If we never realised it before Covid-19, then this panemic has certainly helped us remember that 'wealth' and 'security' are not as certain as we always think they are. There is a strong call for us to place our Hope in the things of God and in God's great promises.

1 Corinthians 4:10 (Message) - "You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Which way to turn?

Have you found yourself in a situation where you haven't known which way to turn? In a sense you have felt lost or uncertain and the longer the situation carries on for, the harder things become?

Well, if this is you, then take heart because God knows how you feel. Take a read of these words from Psalm 116. Take note of how you are not alone in your situation.

"I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me." - Psalm 116:1-6

May you find solace in the presence of Christ. If you don't know which way to turn, look a moment to look up and ask God for directions.

Living in Grace

D3LM3