Stopped in our tracks

Leading on from my thoughts yesterday, about Saul's Damascus Road experience, I wanted to add the following insight: 

It is easy to see Saul's blindness as a punishment from God, but what if this was actually a moment of God’s mercy? I am sure that God had been trying to get Saul's attention for years, but it was in this particular divine interruption, that we clearly see God's intention. God was calling Saul to see things differently - to realise that the followers of Jesus were not the enemy. 

Thought: Sometimes, God has to stop us in our tracks to help us see what we’re missing or to note what God wants to do in our lives.

Acts 9:11-12 - And the Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street and find the house of a man named Judas and ask there for Paul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now, for I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again!”

Living in Grace

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Unexpected Grace

N.T. Wright writes: "God never wastes anything—not even our mistakes. Saul’s violent past would become a testimony of transforming grace."

As we reflect on the remarkable story of Saul/Paul (Acts 9) it always serves as a reminder to me of God's unexpected grace. We could have imagined any number of punishments for Saul, especially when he was murdering Christians, yet God had other ideas. 

The Lord's way of dealing with an angry zealot was to change his heart and give him new spiritual insight. In time, Paul would become one of the greatest ambassadors for Jesus. 

“He is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings...” (Acts 9:15)

Thought: Who are we eager to write-off at times? Is it possible to imagine their lives changed for the Gospel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Having faith doesn't mean having no difficulties

"Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone." - Pope Francis

While the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new leader, it is fitting to dwell on some of the wisdom from the late Pope Francis. His life was lived in obedience to Christ and although he was not perfect, he modelled for Christians the tricky dilemma of 'faith in action.' It is easy to speak about God and the things of faith, but to live them out sincerely is the true test of our obedience.

"The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love."

Romans 4:20 - "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God."

Living in Grace

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A changed world

"A changed world begins with us … and a changed us begins when we pray." - Eugene Peterson

These words are profoundly simple. I wish more of us could believe that we are changed through prayer, and that when we are changed, the world can also change.

What do you think? Is this too simple?

Living in grace

D3LM3

I apologise for the lack of blogs the past few days. I have had a number of commitments that have taken me away from my desk. I hope to be a little more consistent next week :) 

The worst thing is not the last thing!

This is still one of my all-time favourite quotes: 

“The resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing.” - Frederick Buechner

May these words live with you throughout this week and beyond. Trust that with the grace of God, whatever you are facing at the moment, will not be the final word on the matter. Christ has overcome all things!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3

Living in Grace

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Being watchful

To be 'watchful' is to be alert and vigilant. 

And this is what Jesus was challenging his followers to do, while they were praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke records: 

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22)

Jesus was not only questioning why they were sleeping in that moment but imploring them to wake up and be aware what was to come. And after the disciples managed to get this right, the early Church also lived with a strong sense of watchfulness. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:6:

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”

So, what does this mean for us? Could being watchful mean that we are to be present to God, present to our neighbor, and present to our own hearts? 

What do you think?

Living in Grace

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Am I leading a Rebellion?

When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, he challenged the mob that had gathered with swords and clubs: "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?" (Matthew 26:55). 

Jesus also pointed out to them that he had been peacefully teaching in the Temple Courts for days on end, and no one came to arrest him them. Jesus was unarmed while teaching, just as he was in Gethsemane, yet the mob chose to violently arrest him at night. It shows the state of their minds and hearts, that they actually believed that Jesus was a rebel and an outlaw. 

Of course, the answer to Jesus' question is: "No!" He had not been leading a rebellion against the Roman authorities, nor a rebellion against the religious leaders. Jesus had definitely come to reveal the truth of his Father's kingdom and to invite everyone to turn back to God. This was seen as being subversive and this agitated the people.  

Thought. Jesus was not leading an armed rebellion, but he was calling for a Revolution. This revolution was for love, peace and grace to change our hearts and the world around us.

Living in grace

D3LM3