I love my kids birthdays. In the lead up to the day, I carefully collect gifts and make plans so that they will have some beautiful and fun memories to dream back on. I know that the expense and extravagance of the gifts are not what exchanges or communicates the love between us. The gifts are just a token, a sign, a symptom of my heart filled with love and hope for them. And they know this because I look into their eyes each night and morning, hold their hands through the day, pull them close when they cry and laugh like crazy when they sing. Their lives are a gift, and I’ll give them mine as my gift to them. My mum is the same with me. She is a grand gift-giver. I would often come home from school, throw my bag on the floor, open the door to my bedroom, and find a thoughtful something waiting for me on my bed from her. Buying gifts for people is a complete joy for my mum. We went through hard seasons financially, and even in those seasons, the gifts would appear on my bed; mum often sacrificing and going without to bless us and others. During these hard times, the joy of gift giving was felt on a deeper level. It was raw love, not the overflow of abundance. Even now that I’m ‘all grown up’, she finds ways to give to us, and especially my children. She gives out of a heart of pure love… and love, at its heart, is generous and delights in blessing. God is the grandest gift-giver of them all. We’re sometimes tricked into thinking that we have to work for our salvation or prove ourselves worthy of his blessings. Ephesians 2:8 says that grace and salvation are a GIFT – something we have not earned or won – given by grace, extended with love. No strings attached, no agenda’s, no conditions. It’s a symptom of God's undying and complete love for us. God’s grace and salvation come from him. Therefore, they do not depend on us to be given. And he never takes them back... the gift is never withdrawn. Through every season of our lives, every decision we make – good OR bad - the gift of grace and salvation are before us moment by moment, day by day, itching to be received, torn open and owned by the recipient – you. Through your daily activities – the things you have to do, the deadlines, the house cleaning, exam preparation, caring for children, working, exercising, dreaming, cooking, eating, driving, ALL OF IT; don’t lose sight of this gift which is given simply as that - a gift not a reward. Take the gift, receive it, open it, own it and be thankful. It is yours simply because you are loved by the most generous gift-giver of all.
I love my kids birthdays. In the lead up to the day, I carefully collect gifts and make plans so that they will have some beautiful and fun memories to dream back on. I know that the expense and extravagance of the gifts are not what exchanges or communicates the love between us. The gifts are just a token, a sign, a symptom of my heart filled with love and hope for them. And they know this because I look into their eyes each night and morning, hold their hands through the day, pull them close when they cry and laugh like crazy when they sing. Their lives are a gift, and I’ll give them mine as my gift to them. My mum is the same with me. She is a grand gift-giver. I would often come home from school, throw my bag on the floor, open the door to my bedroom, and find a thoughtful something waiting for me on my bed from her. Buying gifts for people is a complete joy for my mum. We went through hard seasons financially, and even in those seasons, the gifts would appear on my bed; mum often sacrificing and going without to bless us and others. During these hard times, the joy of gift giving was felt on a deeper level. It was raw love, not the overflow of abundance. Even now that I’m ‘all grown up’, she finds ways to give to us, and especially my children. She gives out of a heart of pure love… and love, at its heart, is generous and delights in blessing. God is the grandest gift-giver of them all. We’re sometimes tricked into thinking that we have to work for our salvation or prove ourselves worthy of his blessings. Ephesians 2:8 says that grace and salvation are a GIFT – something we have not earned or won – given by grace, extended with love. No strings attached, no agenda’s, no conditions. It’s a symptom of God's undying and complete love for us. God’s grace and salvation come from him. Therefore, they do not depend on us to be given. And he never takes them back... the gift is never withdrawn. Through every season of our lives, every decision we make – good OR bad - the gift of grace and salvation are before us moment by moment, day by day, itching to be received, torn open and owned by the recipient – you. Through your daily activities – the things you have to do, the deadlines, the house cleaning, exam preparation, caring for children, working, exercising, dreaming, cooking, eating, driving, ALL OF IT; don’t lose sight of this gift which is given simply as that - a gift not a reward. Take the gift, receive it, open it, own it and be thankful. It is yours simply because you are loved by the most generous gift-giver of all.
Even though this is a beautiful scripture that I love, more often than not I find myself thinking “I wish this was me…” rather than being encouraged that it IS me. It has at times been a heartache hope of who I would like to be, rather than an encouragement around who I am. The ‘it’ girl of faith, our benchmark... “where’s that fearless laugh girls?” Through the day to day ebb and flow of life, I sometimes feel clothed with frustration and tiredness, lack and emptiness… frowning at tomorrow with worry and apprehension. I don’t feel dignified when covered in baby vomit, or buried under research or 2 weeks behind in housework, or behind in my bills; I don’t feel strong when I can hardly get out of bed in the morning or I fail to deliver on a project at work, and to laugh without fear? Sometimes I think that only happens in the movies, and even then, only in very few. That is, of course, if we were to compare strength, dignity and fearlessness to the world's standard of them. “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” God whispered to a debilitated Paul (2 Cor 12:9). The slandered Psalmist cried, “But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You alone restore my courage; for you lift high my head when I bow low in shame.” (Ps 3:3 The Passion translation). God reassured a new and uncertain leader, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9). Paul wrote to those in Philippi and encouraged them to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7). When you view Proverbs 31:25 through the eyes of faith and through the lens of the stories found in the scriptures - strength in weakness, dignity through redemption, peace in the midst of fear - this woman seems a lot more real. A lot more attainable. She may even look a little familiar. In fact, if you look long enough, you might even find yourself staring at your own reflection. You will see that despite what you’ve done, where you are and what has happened to you, you are clothed with strength and dignity. Don’t allow these precious garments to fall to the floor only to gather dust and slowly be forgotten about. Pick them up with the bold humility of the redeemed and place them firmly upon your shoulders. Take a good look. They fit perfectly, they smell like grace and they look like faith. The peace you'll see in this wonderful picture will enliven your imagination, your dreams will return, and you’ll laugh not with the absence of fear, but with the knowledge that no amount of fear can exile the divine peace that dwells within you. The one that surpasses logic, reason and understanding. This scripture isn't exclusive to women, it's applicable to everyone and is ultimately a picture of the Church - the bride of Christ. It's who God has purposed us to be in our communities... A place of faith where people can find strength in the midst of their weakness, that restores dignity to those who are weighed down, and gives hope to the broken so they can smile at the possibilities awaiting them in their future - in this age and the age that is to come.
Even though this is a beautiful scripture that I love, more often than not I find myself thinking “I wish this was me…” rather than being encouraged that it IS me. It has at times been a heartache hope of who I would like to be, rather than an encouragement around who I am. The ‘it’ girl of faith, our benchmark... “where’s that fearless laugh girls?” Through the day to day ebb and flow of life, I sometimes feel clothed with frustration and tiredness, lack and emptiness… frowning at tomorrow with worry and apprehension. I don’t feel dignified when covered in baby vomit, or buried under research or 2 weeks behind in housework, or behind in my bills; I don’t feel strong when I can hardly get out of bed in the morning or I fail to deliver on a project at work, and to laugh without fear? Sometimes I think that only happens in the movies, and even then, only in very few. That is, of course, if we were to compare strength, dignity and fearlessness to the world's standard of them. “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” God whispered to a debilitated Paul (2 Cor 12:9). The slandered Psalmist cried, “But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You alone restore my courage; for you lift high my head when I bow low in shame.” (Ps 3:3 The Passion translation). God reassured a new and uncertain leader, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9). Paul wrote to those in Philippi and encouraged them to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7). When you view Proverbs 31:25 through the eyes of faith and through the lens of the stories found in the scriptures - strength in weakness, dignity through redemption, peace in the midst of fear - this woman seems a lot more real. A lot more attainable. She may even look a little familiar. In fact, if you look long enough, you might even find yourself staring at your own reflection. You will see that despite what you’ve done, where you are and what has happened to you, you are clothed with strength and dignity. Don’t allow these precious garments to fall to the floor only to gather dust and slowly be forgotten about. Pick them up with the bold humility of the redeemed and place them firmly upon your shoulders. Take a good look. They fit perfectly, they smell like grace and they look like faith. The peace you'll see in this wonderful picture will enliven your imagination, your dreams will return, and you’ll laugh not with the absence of fear, but with the knowledge that no amount of fear can exile the divine peace that dwells within you. The one that surpasses logic, reason and understanding. This scripture isn't exclusive to women, it's applicable to everyone and is ultimately a picture of the Church - the bride of Christ. It's who God has purposed us to be in our communities... A place of faith where people can find strength in the midst of their weakness, that restores dignity to those who are weighed down, and gives hope to the broken so they can smile at the possibilities awaiting them in their future - in this age and the age that is to come.
God loves us, right? God loves every part of His creation, true? In fact, God’s stockpiles of loyal love are so immense they would more than fill every ocean, crowd every forest and overwhelm every city on the planet. His love is boundless, plentiful, abundant, eternal and never ending. In fact, he loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; a very expensive price, wouldn’t you say? He goes a long way to prove his love for us. I don’t think he's trying to win brownie points… do you? I think LOVE is the divine nature of who he is. 1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.” Does love cover? Yes! Does love correct? Yes! Does love separate action from identity? Indeed! Is it possible for God, who loves without limits, to discard humans quicker than one can say boo? Would he usher aside those that he painstakingly and grandly displayed his love for? Would he go against his own nature? He has, after all, created an elaborate plan to lower the metaphorical bridge over the chasm between humanity and himself. Unity heaven and earth, natural and supernatural. Love is that pathway and through Jesus, the door is wide open. The temple veil is torn in two… Boldness is now an acceptable way to enter his presence. So if love breaks the oppressive limitations off a relationship and we find ourselves with relationships that are broken, it is love that will pave the way to reconciliation. God knows and practises the art of redeeming those lost to him. He does it through his powerful yet tender love. "It’s patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:4-8) Some say things are hopeless. Some agree that certain people are doomed. Even still, that there are situations beyond repair. Irredeemable. They have not yet met the love of God. A love loyal to his creation, his children, and to his own nature. His love never fails. Ever.
God loves us, right? God loves every part of His creation, true? In fact, God’s stockpiles of loyal love are so immense they would more than fill every ocean, crowd every forest and overwhelm every city on the planet. His love is boundless, plentiful, abundant, eternal and never ending. In fact, he loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; a very expensive price, wouldn’t you say? He goes a long way to prove his love for us. I don’t think he's trying to win brownie points… do you? I think LOVE is the divine nature of who he is. 1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.” Does love cover? Yes! Does love correct? Yes! Does love separate action from identity? Indeed! Is it possible for God, who loves without limits, to discard humans quicker than one can say boo? Would he usher aside those that he painstakingly and grandly displayed his love for? Would he go against his own nature? He has, after all, created an elaborate plan to lower the metaphorical bridge over the chasm between humanity and himself. Unity heaven and earth, natural and supernatural. Love is that pathway and through Jesus, the door is wide open. The temple veil is torn in two… Boldness is now an acceptable way to enter his presence. So if love breaks the oppressive limitations off a relationship and we find ourselves with relationships that are broken, it is love that will pave the way to reconciliation. God knows and practises the art of redeeming those lost to him. He does it through his powerful yet tender love. "It’s patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." (1 Cor 13:4-8) Some say things are hopeless. Some agree that certain people are doomed. Even still, that there are situations beyond repair. Irredeemable. They have not yet met the love of God. A love loyal to his creation, his children, and to his own nature. His love never fails. Ever.
With the glorious historical perspective that hundreds of centuries and thousands of commentaries gives, the story of Esther seems straight forward. A girl's beauty opens the door to a great opportunity, she does all the right things, and then despite opposition from an old and evil man, she saves her people. And we all clap and think she is the epitome of ‘warrior princess.’ And she is - she was an amazing woman and is an incredible role model. But her amazingness did not dwell in her beauty, or in her assumed ability to do the right thing all the time (we only have a few chapters in the Bible outlining her whole life - there are many nuances and details that died with her). She was a woman of dreams and ideas, emotions and heartaches, fears and failures, conflicts and passions. She is a picture of you and I. Mordecai makes the difference in this story. Her loving uncle and advisor. He adopted her at birth and raised her as his own. An ever present source of help and strength… it was he who challenged and whispered purpose into Esther’s heart. It was he who saw her real beauty, the strength and keenness of her spirit and encouraged her to use it. Esther could have relied on her physical beauty and circumstances to keep her safe and privileged, but instead she used it as a coat rack for her inner calling. A foot up for her to speak on behalf of others and bring them closer to safety and peace. All the while, leaning on the encouragement and wisdom of Mordecai. Are you using your physical circumstances to satisfy the ‘entitlement’ epidemic that is arresting the western world? Or are you using what you’ve been given as a building block for community and the good of others? To rescue and bring hope, or horde and save for yourself? Who and what you listen to makes all the difference. What you say to someone else can make all the difference in them. If Esther didn’t have Mordecai and if he didn't speak words of purpose and faith into her life, I wonder what other voice she would have listened to? Jesus whispers, and sometimes shouts, into our hearts and minds “You were born for this very moment…” The moment in the check-out line when the person in front runs out of money; the moment in the playground where the bully is standing over the vulnerable, the moment in the workplace where someone is being ripped off… right now is your moment. And on the flip side; that moment you're on the floor blinded by pain, or you’ve run out of money, or you’ve failed yet again - now is the time to reach out and receive help and love. You were born for such a time as this, the moment you are in, to ask for help and to help. Community. Together. Jesus is your Mordecai. Listen to his words of love and purpose and pass the message onto others. For in such times as these, we all need it.
With the glorious historical perspective that hundreds of centuries and thousands of commentaries gives, the story of Esther seems straight forward. A girl's beauty opens the door to a great opportunity, she does all the right things, and then despite opposition from an old and evil man, she saves her people. And we all clap and think she is the epitome of ‘warrior princess.’ And she is - she was an amazing woman and is an incredible role model. But her amazingness did not dwell in her beauty, or in her assumed ability to do the right thing all the time (we only have a few chapters in the Bible outlining her whole life - there are many nuances and details that died with her). She was a woman of dreams and ideas, emotions and heartaches, fears and failures, conflicts and passions. She is a picture of you and I. Mordecai makes the difference in this story. Her loving uncle and advisor. He adopted her at birth and raised her as his own. An ever present source of help and strength… it was he who challenged and whispered purpose into Esther’s heart. It was he who saw her real beauty, the strength and keenness of her spirit and encouraged her to use it. Esther could have relied on her physical beauty and circumstances to keep her safe and privileged, but instead she used it as a coat rack for her inner calling. A foot up for her to speak on behalf of others and bring them closer to safety and peace. All the while, leaning on the encouragement and wisdom of Mordecai. Are you using your physical circumstances to satisfy the ‘entitlement’ epidemic that is arresting the western world? Or are you using what you’ve been given as a building block for community and the good of others? To rescue and bring hope, or horde and save for yourself? Who and what you listen to makes all the difference. What you say to someone else can make all the difference in them. If Esther didn’t have Mordecai and if he didn't speak words of purpose and faith into her life, I wonder what other voice she would have listened to? Jesus whispers, and sometimes shouts, into our hearts and minds “You were born for this very moment…” The moment in the check-out line when the person in front runs out of money; the moment in the playground where the bully is standing over the vulnerable, the moment in the workplace where someone is being ripped off… right now is your moment. And on the flip side; that moment you're on the floor blinded by pain, or you’ve run out of money, or you’ve failed yet again - now is the time to reach out and receive help and love. You were born for such a time as this, the moment you are in, to ask for help and to help. Community. Together. Jesus is your Mordecai. Listen to his words of love and purpose and pass the message onto others. For in such times as these, we all need it.
Part Two The disciples response to Jesus in this story is incredible. Rather than allowing their inability to heal the boy to overwhelm them with shame, causing them to shrink back with their tails between their legs, they questioned Jesus about it. Their desire to understand outweighed their sense of failure and they leaned in rather than hid away. They wanted to know what and how. It is such a great lesson for us to learn. Faith grows. It grows by hearing. Hearing comes about by asking questions, seeking knowledge, being willing to learn. As you listen to the infinite, the divine, the love and words of Jesus through the Bible, through prayer, in worship... faith grows. It overshadows sin nature and fear and becomes a strong tree in our lives. There are so many noises filling our ears, so many ’seeds’ being thrust into our hands, it can be hard to know which ones to plant and which ones to throw away. Which ones will grow into beautiful trees, and which ones into snarling weeds. It’s not the look of the seed that counts, it’s what is within that determines what it grows. So listen... listen to the wind, to the music, the trees, to the ocean, to the God whispers found in the ordinary, the everyday miracle of sunlight and indescribable glow of moonlight. Listen in your dreams and in your prayers, read his words, dive into the stories, find those seeds of faith, of impossibility and adventure; the seeds that interrupt the natural course of things and grow from small and insurmountable into tall, strong and life-giving. And be patient. Things grow with time and experience. Seeds need water and food and sunlight. So take your time, feed your heart well. Be like the disciples and don’t give up after one failure. See those times where things go wrong as a chance to strengthen your faith even more, to dig deeper and see more clearly. Spurgeon says, "Our faith may be small “as a grain of mustard seed,” but if it is living and true it links us with the Omnipotent One. Still is it true, “You shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and, it shall move.” Mountains shall move before our faith by means as sure as if they were miraculous; by means even more wonderful than if the course of nature had been changed. Comparatively speaking, the suspension of natural law is a coarse expedient, but for the Lord to work the same result without violating any of his laws is an achievement not less divine than a miracle. This is what faith obtains of the Lord at the present hour: her prayer is heard, and things impossible to herself are wrought by divine power. Spiritually and symbolically, the mountain is removed. Literally, at this hour the mountain stands, but faith finds a way around it, through it, or over it, and so in effect removes it.” Facing mountains? Plant seeds of faith right in front of them, even if they are the tiniest threads of hope. One day you’ll be able to climb that tree, and the mountain won’t look so scary or rocky or tall from its branches. In fact, it may not even be there at all.
Part Two The disciples response to Jesus in this story is incredible. Rather than allowing their inability to heal the boy to overwhelm them with shame, causing them to shrink back with their tails between their legs, they questioned Jesus about it. Their desire to understand outweighed their sense of failure and they leaned in rather than hid away. They wanted to know what and how. It is such a great lesson for us to learn. Faith grows. It grows by hearing. Hearing comes about by asking questions, seeking knowledge, being willing to learn. As you listen to the infinite, the divine, the love and words of Jesus through the Bible, through prayer, in worship... faith grows. It overshadows sin nature and fear and becomes a strong tree in our lives. There are so many noises filling our ears, so many ’seeds’ being thrust into our hands, it can be hard to know which ones to plant and which ones to throw away. Which ones will grow into beautiful trees, and which ones into snarling weeds. It’s not the look of the seed that counts, it’s what is within that determines what it grows. So listen... listen to the wind, to the music, the trees, to the ocean, to the God whispers found in the ordinary, the everyday miracle of sunlight and indescribable glow of moonlight. Listen in your dreams and in your prayers, read his words, dive into the stories, find those seeds of faith, of impossibility and adventure; the seeds that interrupt the natural course of things and grow from small and insurmountable into tall, strong and life-giving. And be patient. Things grow with time and experience. Seeds need water and food and sunlight. So take your time, feed your heart well. Be like the disciples and don’t give up after one failure. See those times where things go wrong as a chance to strengthen your faith even more, to dig deeper and see more clearly. Spurgeon says, "Our faith may be small “as a grain of mustard seed,” but if it is living and true it links us with the Omnipotent One. Still is it true, “You shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and, it shall move.” Mountains shall move before our faith by means as sure as if they were miraculous; by means even more wonderful than if the course of nature had been changed. Comparatively speaking, the suspension of natural law is a coarse expedient, but for the Lord to work the same result without violating any of his laws is an achievement not less divine than a miracle. This is what faith obtains of the Lord at the present hour: her prayer is heard, and things impossible to herself are wrought by divine power. Spiritually and symbolically, the mountain is removed. Literally, at this hour the mountain stands, but faith finds a way around it, through it, or over it, and so in effect removes it.” Facing mountains? Plant seeds of faith right in front of them, even if they are the tiniest threads of hope. One day you’ll be able to climb that tree, and the mountain won’t look so scary or rocky or tall from its branches. In fact, it may not even be there at all.
Part One Matt 13:31-32 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” In Chapter 17, Matthew tells the story of a young boy who was living possessed by a demon. His father took him to the disciples for prayer, but they were unable to heal him. So the father took him to Jesus and told him about the disciples inability to heal. Jesus was frustrated with the disciples, and then healed the boy. The disciples pulled Jesus aside and asked him how and why they failed. Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith… 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.” Strong's Concordance defines faith as “the conviction and belief that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things.” Heb 11:1 says, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Things had been changing drastically for the disciples. They were working men who had suddenly become Rabbi’s in training - at least, being trained in The New Way that Jesus came to mark out for them. They had left behind their jobs, impacting their families and reputations; they had seen things and heard things that were different, their lives were heading in a completely new direction. Change, change and more change every day. And now Jesus had them healing people, or wanted them to. And they tried. In their own strength, they give it a red hot go. But rather than engaging that tiny mustard seed of faith, they worked hard in their own strength, used what could be seen, relied on they could see. They only knew what they knew. In this demon possessed boy, or whatever else might have been in front of them - sickness, lack, hurt, pain, mental illness... all they could see was a mountain. Impassable, immovable; in its volume and immensity unwilling to change. And this is the problem. We rely on the natural course of things - what was, and is will determine what will be. We look at a mountain and scream and shout and expend all our energy defying it and being angry knowing that, of course, a mountain cannot be moved. When by faith we could speak to it, find out its mysteries, discover its pathways; what shoes should we wear, what gear do we need to climb it, conquer it; to see it not as an impassable mountain, but a miracle waiting to happen. And who knows what we might find on the other side of the mountain? The real miracle is to go from seeing the mountains in our lives as a dead end to seeing them as something we can, by faith, overcome. Brene Brown says, “Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” To be continued.
Part One Matt 13:31-32 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” In Chapter 17, Matthew tells the story of a young boy who was living possessed by a demon. His father took him to the disciples for prayer, but they were unable to heal him. So the father took him to Jesus and told him about the disciples inability to heal. Jesus was frustrated with the disciples, and then healed the boy. The disciples pulled Jesus aside and asked him how and why they failed. Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith… 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.” Strong's Concordance defines faith as “the conviction and belief that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things.” Heb 11:1 says, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Things had been changing drastically for the disciples. They were working men who had suddenly become Rabbi’s in training - at least, being trained in The New Way that Jesus came to mark out for them. They had left behind their jobs, impacting their families and reputations; they had seen things and heard things that were different, their lives were heading in a completely new direction. Change, change and more change every day. And now Jesus had them healing people, or wanted them to. And they tried. In their own strength, they give it a red hot go. But rather than engaging that tiny mustard seed of faith, they worked hard in their own strength, used what could be seen, relied on they could see. They only knew what they knew. In this demon possessed boy, or whatever else might have been in front of them - sickness, lack, hurt, pain, mental illness... all they could see was a mountain. Impassable, immovable; in its volume and immensity unwilling to change. And this is the problem. We rely on the natural course of things - what was, and is will determine what will be. We look at a mountain and scream and shout and expend all our energy defying it and being angry knowing that, of course, a mountain cannot be moved. When by faith we could speak to it, find out its mysteries, discover its pathways; what shoes should we wear, what gear do we need to climb it, conquer it; to see it not as an impassable mountain, but a miracle waiting to happen. And who knows what we might find on the other side of the mountain? The real miracle is to go from seeing the mountains in our lives as a dead end to seeing them as something we can, by faith, overcome. Brene Brown says, “Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” To be continued.
ADVENT - WEEK 1 - Part 5 How will you prepare for the season? And what will you prepare? Because, my friend, the choice is yours. Yes, you do have a choice. You don’t have to be swept up into conformity, going through the motions, keeping up with whoever it is we are "meant" to be keeping up with. You.have.a.choice. You get to choose what this season is about and how you will prepare for it. Advent is a season of expectancy and hope; of waiting and preparation. And yeah, you can fill it with the brim with spending and working and cooking and cleaning and shopping and partying… going from event to shop to party to bed to work and back again without sinking deep into the intention of the season. What are you making room for? What do you hope for? What are you waiting for? And how will you wait? You have a choice. Will you choose joy? Will you choose to make room and space for generosity in all its forms not just credit swipes and piles of gifts? Will you sit with Mary and Joseph’s story and dig deep… put yourself in their shoes, and imagine it was you that day all those years ago waiting for a promise that you really knew nothing about? Because there are beautiful and meaningful ways to wait for the promised birth of Christ, to remember what hope is like, and the responsibility that comes with hopes fulfillment. There is work to be done in the waiting. Hamilton Wright Mabie wrote: "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Right here and now, at our fingertips, is a season that lends itself to community, redemption, and healing. A time of year that allows those estranged to sit side-by-side around the table; that brings work colleagues together; that helps us lean on one another and give to each other without expectation of anything in return. It’s a season in which we can conspire to love and receive love. You have the choice: you can engage in the miracle of this conspiracy, or into the distraction of consuming. The Divine emptied himself into humanity. He showed us what a conspiracy of love looks like: a light in the dark, a baby born of a virgin, hope given to a people oppressed far too long. God’s divine conspiracy was that he emptied himself into us, for us, with us. He became one of us, and with the act of incarnation declared that humanity is good, and is going somewhere good. You have a choice, friend. I pray you choose to engage in the most divine conspiracy there is: love. Make room in your heart and life for the giving and receiving - the flow - of it.
ADVENT - WEEK 1 - Part 5 How will you prepare for the season? And what will you prepare? Because, my friend, the choice is yours. Yes, you do have a choice. You don’t have to be swept up into conformity, going through the motions, keeping up with whoever it is we are "meant" to be keeping up with. You.have.a.choice. You get to choose what this season is about and how you will prepare for it. Advent is a season of expectancy and hope; of waiting and preparation. And yeah, you can fill it with the brim with spending and working and cooking and cleaning and shopping and partying… going from event to shop to party to bed to work and back again without sinking deep into the intention of the season. What are you making room for? What do you hope for? What are you waiting for? And how will you wait? You have a choice. Will you choose joy? Will you choose to make room and space for generosity in all its forms not just credit swipes and piles of gifts? Will you sit with Mary and Joseph’s story and dig deep… put yourself in their shoes, and imagine it was you that day all those years ago waiting for a promise that you really knew nothing about? Because there are beautiful and meaningful ways to wait for the promised birth of Christ, to remember what hope is like, and the responsibility that comes with hopes fulfillment. There is work to be done in the waiting. Hamilton Wright Mabie wrote: "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Right here and now, at our fingertips, is a season that lends itself to community, redemption, and healing. A time of year that allows those estranged to sit side-by-side around the table; that brings work colleagues together; that helps us lean on one another and give to each other without expectation of anything in return. It’s a season in which we can conspire to love and receive love. You have the choice: you can engage in the miracle of this conspiracy, or into the distraction of consuming. The Divine emptied himself into humanity. He showed us what a conspiracy of love looks like: a light in the dark, a baby born of a virgin, hope given to a people oppressed far too long. God’s divine conspiracy was that he emptied himself into us, for us, with us. He became one of us, and with the act of incarnation declared that humanity is good, and is going somewhere good. You have a choice, friend. I pray you choose to engage in the most divine conspiracy there is: love. Make room in your heart and life for the giving and receiving - the flow - of it.