Word For the Month

Picture yourself on the sidelines of this story, looking out over a vast crowd – thousands, in fact, sprawled across the landscape. The sun has long past its peak. It’s getting late. After an afternoon of soul-nourishing teaching from Jesus they’re now hungry for food. You overhear the disciples, suggesting that Jesus sends them away to nearby villages, but Jesus has other ideas. “You give them something to eat” he replies, shifting his gaze from the disciples and onto you. (See Mark 6:30-44 if you’re unfamiliar with what happens next.)

Carry this image and how you feel in response through August. Take time this month to pause, take a breath, slow down – and picture the many people sprawled across the landscape of your life. Family. Friends. Work colleagues. Fellow volunteers. Social media connections. Neighbours. Acquaintances near or far, social action needs and projects on your heart….  It may be surprising how the numbers add up when you immerse yourself in the scene; as you see how many ways your life is interconnected with others. A vast crowd, some or many of whom may not know Jesus. Some who may be hungry for food, literally – or for the soul and spirit nourishing love, life, truth, grace, compassion, wisdom …. and more, of Jesus. 

As you pray for them, asking God to help, provide and reveal Himself to them, where can you hear His response: “You give them something to eat”? 

It may be practical: an extra couple of baked bean tins …or more… in your grocery shop that you can gift to the food bank. But there’s other hunger waiting to be nourished too. Friends who don’t understand who Jesus is or a social media feed hungry for joy, positivity, truth and wisdom. Who else is hungry for what you could potentially give? 

You may feel inadequte with your meagre offering of breadrolls and a couple of sprats to feed the vast need, but no matter how insignificant you feel, no matter how small you perceive your offering to be, ask Jesus to bless it, then trust Him to provide in ways you may never realise as you distribute what you can to your world. 

I’ve been facing some considerable challenges recently, and I doubt that I am alone. Perhaps you are facing some kind of difficulty, heartache or fear-fuelling scenario too.

Peace.
Such a soft, alluring word – but potentially evasive when challenges threaten to overwhelm. So how do we go about experiencing Jesus’ promised peace? Well, as many have said in some shape or form: Peace is not the absence of trouble, but knowing God with us in it; it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, of God’s presence within us.

Whatever trouble, heartache or fear you face this month, dwell with this precious promise from Jesus.
Peace: freedom from worry; a quietness & rest of soul; a calm, assured poise.
I leave with you: peace was Jesus’ parting gift…
I give you: and peace is Jesus’ daily gift to all who’ve received His indwelling presence.
It’s a peace that Jesus births within us; a peace that will grow in our experience as we actively believe in His presence, focus on His truth, listen to His voice and follow His leading, rather than entertaining the babble of opinions, doubts, expectations, demands, fallacies, falsehoods, threats … you fill in the blank … representing the voice that attempts to rob you of His peace.

We thank God for days that are free of strife, but these ‘peaceful’ days that the world gives are inevitably shortlived. Ultimately, only Jesus can give us substantial, enduring peace; a peace that prevails despite our situations and surpasses our understanding.
We were not left alone in our place of turmoil and distress or at the mercy of a cruel world. We have the promises and perspective of His life – His peace – to dispel fear and walk with us through our days.

What might you feel especially prompted to dwell with and respond to from this promise, and the part we play in receiving it though active belief, focus on truth, listening to His voice and following His lead?

I began praying this prayer roughly 20 years ago, when I sensed my life transitioning from the felt security of a part-time admin job to the exhilarating if daunting place of being led into the full-time but no-guaranteed-income role of writing and, in fact, speaking.
But I’ve also prayed these verses many times since when other seasons of life have changed, or as a way to “check in” with God to discern if I’m still on track.

Some of you may also know how I’ve often been nudged to pray this prayer for others too 🙂

Perhaps this prayer might resonate with you as a place to dwell this month:
– If you’re facing or already ensconsed in a change-of-life season.
– If you’re busy and often preoccupied on the urgent but not the important.
– If you sense that you’re merely existing but not flourishing in the life you have in Jesus.
– If you feel God stirring you to something new;
whether or not you know what that may be.
– If you’re feeling uncertain about your current commitments.
– If the demands on your life feel out of sync with Jesus’ promise of “rest for your soul”
(Matthew 11:28-30).
– If there’s someone else for whom you’re feeling nudged to pray this prayer.

These verses are set in the context of a Psalm acknowledging the brevity of life – something our ancestors were possibly more inclined to reflect on than we are. But their heart cry is set in the light of God’s unfailing love, reaching out to us in this imperfect, transient world. A truth we can be reassured by and give thanks for every day.

We celebrated Easter on 31st March this year: remembrance and praise for Jesus’ sacrifical death, His glorious resurrection and His gift of new life to all who believe He is living Lord. Perhaps you accompanied your celebrations with a chocolate Easter Egg or three as well!

But of course, this focused celebration isn’t just something to enjoy for one day of the year. Nor is choosing His life isn’t a one-off decision to guarantee a place in heaven; it’s a quality of life to be enjoyed now. A Spirit-led and Spirit-infused life over a barren flesh-led existence.

If you don’t feel you’re experiencing His abundant fullness of life (also promised in John 10:10), take time to prayerfully reflect on what might be distracting you from engaging with & responding to it:
– Haste, hurry & tech dependency?
– Disillusioned by unanswered prayer?
– Sidetracked by personal dreams, a want of ‘ease’ or perceived ‘security’?
– Overwhelmed by problems that overshadow faith?
– Pursuing ‘gung-ho’ this transient life in the world as if it were going to last forever?
– … any other promptings that come to mind ???

Dwell with this invitation to choose His life: to know and receive in progressive measure His peace, wisdom, guidance, provision, enabling and much more, as you align yourself to walk in step with His word and Spirit.

He doesn’t promise a problem-free life but He does enrich it with His dynamic, creative, transforming, envisioning & equipping… LIFE.

I’ve been mulling on this question for four months, so I thought I’d introduce it here. It popped up in my bible reading back in November, then reappeared in a couple of books I’ve read since. It’s definitely got my attention – or perhaps, God has been getting my attention! I’ve journalled pages in response which has proved immensely helpful.

So over to you. If God were asking you these two questions, what might be your response? Take the first, “where have you been?” and mull on it for some time before moving onto the second, “where are you going?”. Allow yourself as much time as needed.

Be transparent and honest with God about the highs & the lows, the hopes & uncertainties, the fruit & the failures. Hold your thoughts before Him in prayer, What have you learned? How have you changed? Listen for His response. The way He speaks into your past & your future is always for your good, so be reassured.