What grows in weary lands

I've read an excellent book this week on the work of the desert fathers and mothers. You might know them intimately, or may never have heard of them before. They are those who lived in the early days of the Christian faith, who often retreated to the 'desert' in order to draw near to Jesus. In a lot of ways, this might seem rather extreme - if I were to book a retreat, I'd almost certainly book somewhere hot - but probably not a desert. I'd like there to be life wherever I am, I'd want sustenance, I'd want chocolate.

 

And yet, as I read, I was struck by how often God seems to do his most profound work in the barren places. Moses encountered God in the wilderness before leading his people to freedom. Jesus faced the desert before stepping into his public ministry. The people of Israel wandered through emptiness before arriving at the promised land. In each case, the desert wasn't a detour - it was the preparation. I wonder if many of us feel something like that right now. When we look at the news, the tensions, the fear and anger spilling onto the streets, it's easy to despair. It's easy, to wonder why God seems so distant and quiet, to ask where He is in all of it.

 

Paul reminds us in Romans that all of creation groans, aching for redemption, like something waiting to be born. I find that strangely comforting. It means that which may seem dormant, or quiet is not the same as being dead. It means we can be assured that even in the seasons that feel dry, empty, or frightening, God is quietly at work - forming something beautiful, solid, and lasting. Whatever your week has held, however weary the world may feel, the same Jesus who walked out of the desert in the power of the Spirit walks with you now. The desert, at last, will bloom.

Best laid plans

One of my favourite songs in my late teens was Robbie Williams's Feel. For those of you thinking I couldn't possibly have been a teenager, that song was only released a couple of years ago - I'm sorry to tell you that it came out in 2002. Twenty-four years ago. I'll just let that sink in.

I loved it for the line: "I sit and talk to God and he just laughs at my plans." For some reason it always stuck with me, particularly on days when I've felt a little lost. 

Theologically, Robbie Williams is perhaps slightly off course. The closest we get in Scripture is Proverbs 16:9 "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." The picture Proverbs gives us isn't of a God who laughs at our plans, nor one who tries to stop us making them. It's of a God who is ultimately in charge - who takes our steps and directs them with purpose and care. 

On Sunday, we're planning Eden in the Garden - this is a summer picnic and cream tea on the village field - and as I type these words, it is absolutely pouring with rain outside my window. Is this going to be one of those plans I end up feeling slightly laughed at for making? I really hope not. I hope that come Sunday, all will be well and we'll be able to enjoy some wonderful community time together after all the madness of the road closure.

But whatever the weather brings, I find it genuinely reassuring that God directs our steps. That He will, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28, work all things together for good for those who love Him. We can trust Him - even with our slightly optimistic British summertime plans.

 

Contentment

About 10 days ago I pulled my winter coat out of the wardrobe and miserably declared the summer over. This week has rather put paid to that theory, and I found myself lying in a dark room on Wednesday, feeling like I might actually melt, again feeling a bit miserable about the weather.

Earlier this week I managed to pop into our monthly community lunch, and as we ate, we were reflecting on how easy it can be to lose sight of our blessings. When writing to the church in Philippi, Paul says "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."

Paul has learned a lesson I am still learning, that it can be easy sometimes to focus not on what we have, but on what we don't. Be it air conditioning this week, or better weather last week, or be it something much more significant. Paul knows all he needs is given to him through the Lord, and has learned to be content. Let me encourage you to do the same this weekend.

Pentecost

Tomorrow is Pentecost, traditionally known as the birthday of the Church! On this day, the Holy Spirit fell on the first disciples, empowering them to continue the work Jesus had been doing on earth. It comes 10 days after Ascension Day - the day they saw the risen Lord Jesus ascend into heaven.

The time between Ascension and Pentecost is often a time when the Church stops to pray. This is because Acts 1 tells us that this is what the disciples did. In those ten days, they did two things: firstly, and most importantly, they prayed. Secondly, they acted - replacing Judas (now dead) with Matthias as one of the disciples - knowing they needed to move forward.

Many of us find ourselves in these seasons of uncertainty. I usually write this a couple of days before it gets sent out by Liz, and today I find myself checking the news more than usual to see what has changed, and wondering what might change in the next two days. Last weekend, it seemed certain we would be on our way to yet another a new Prime Minister - and perhaps that conversation will resurface again before this goes out - but uncertainty, whether in world events, national politics, or the privacy of our own lives, can seem like a permanent state.

In these times, we do well to follow the example of the early disciples: to pray constantly, giving to God the things we cannot change. And secondly, to keep moving forward - approaching each day and each task as it comes, trusting God with the bigger picture.

Popmaster

Recently, I told the church family at St Gregory's about my love of Popmaster with Ken Bruce. It has been running since 1988, almost as many years as I've been alive - and most of the songs which feature in the quiz were popular long before I was around. As a consequence, I rarely get any questions right - and yet, each day, when my diary allows, I like to sit and listen to it and try.

 

There's something in this small, faithful habit that I find strangely comforting - the act of showing up, not because I'll get it right, but simply because I want to be present to it. Sometimes, I get an answer right, and oh the joy I feel!

 

I wonder if that's not unlike our life of faith. We don't come to God because we have all the answers. Sometimes we get it right, but often we don't - but still we are called to come, day after day, imperfect and often stumped, simply because we love Him and want to be in His presence.

 

Ken has been a faithful presence on the radio for most of my life - he has been a comfort - but I know he won't host that quiz forever. This is where the analogy ends - because unlike Ken, God does promise to be faithful to the end of my life - to always be there. All he asks of us is to turn up and try again. To know we are loved regardless of whether the day means we feel like we've got all the answers, or if it's a day when we get none of them right.

 

The bible reminds us that "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning." — Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Whatever kind of day this is for you - a day of answers, or a day of blank looks and shrugged shoulders - may you know that you are held by a love that does not depend on your performance. You don't have to get it right. You just have to show up. And He will meet you there, faithful as ever, every single morning.

Scones

 How do you like your scones? Is it jam and then cream - the correct way - or are you one of those strange people who put the cream on first? Perhaps you’re even stranger, like Jess, who doesn’t like any cream! Maybe you don’t like scones at all - if so, prayer ministry is available...

If we needed further evidence that we are all different, how we eat our scones is something that divides families and friendship groups, as well as counties (I can never remember which is the Cornish way and which is the Devonshire way…). Fortunately, there is space for everyone in God’s kingdom, and whilst it might seem to us that others are a little bit strange (sorry if I’ve inadvertently insulted you today!), it’s another reminder that God loves each of us equally - even if you hate scones!

If you feel a bit different today - or a bit “other”, maybe even a bit strange - know that God celebrates your difference, loves you for it, and welcomes you into His kingdom.

More with Less

I don’t know if you’ve watched the BBC’s mockumentary ‘W1A’ – there is a new series at the moment, and when it was originally on TV it was one of our favourites. There is a moment when they have a strategy meeting described as ‘more of less’ – the idea being, apparently, that they should establish what they do best and find fewer ways of doing more of it for less.

For those of us who have worked in corporate environments, this sort of talk is a little bit close to the bone – and we will have probably found ourselves in meetings where doing more of or with less is proposed as vital for an organisation’s success.

The fact is, life can sometimes feel a bit like this, however – whether its our finances which need to stretch further and further – or our physical, or even our emotional energy – we are often asked to do more with less.

This morning, in the bible in a year, we reached the story of Gideon. If you don’t know it, we find it in Judges 6, where Gideon is called to to lead God’s people to defeat a huge army (the Midianites) who were not being particularly kind. At first Gideon has his own huge army (over 22k men) and God tells him to send all but 300 of them home. Why? Because God doesn’t want them to say “my own strength saved me.”

I have often found it is when I come to the end of our my resources that we realise we need to rely on God. Each time it happens, I wonder if it might have been easier to rely on him from the start. 

If, today, you feel the need to do more with less – that your resources are running low – be reminded of Gideon, who defeated the Midianites with a tiny army – not because of anything they had, but because of the one who was with them. That same God is with you today.