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Wednesday 29 February 2012

Motley Crew



We live in a world that produces “stars” and “leaders”. The chosen few have the qualities that we supposedly should admire and seek to emulate – looks, talents, awards, success, wealth, love, power. What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus? What does it take to become a Christian leader? When we look at the bible, God demonstrates over and over again His love of the common folk and His continual challenge to worldly values.

In the Old Testament, God demonstrates His favour to those that the world overlooks, time and time again. His choice of people was certainly different to the cultural norms of the day. In a time when family honour and prestige rested upon the eldest son, God chose some of the younger family members to fulfil His plans. Gideon, when called by the Lord to save Israel, declared “my clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). Joseph was the second youngest of twelve, betrayed by his older brothers, yet rose to prominence and authority in Egypt. (Genesis 37-50) When Samuel visited the house of Jesse to anoint a new king, all of the sons of Jesse were paraded before him. Samuel had very clear direction from the Lord, however, that His chosen one was David, the youngest, who was tending the sheep in the fields. (1 Samuel 16)

When Samuel chose David, God spoke “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”(1 Sam 16:7) God chooses those for his work whose hearts are firmly fixed on him.

Another aspect of the lives of these ordinary folk is that often they worked in solitary jobs where they had much time to meditate upon the things of God. Sometimes exiled, sometimes imprisoned, they were often involved in what we would call boring, repetitive work before they became biblical heroes. Imagine Jacob, who worked for Laban for seven years to earn his bride, only to be tricked into a deceitful marriage and chose to then work for his father- in- law for another seven years to pay for the daughter he wanted. (Genesis 29). Amos too was a shepherd, and Moses spent time in exile in Midian, tending flocks. Nehemiah was a servant of the king.

That is not to say that God does not use those in positions of prominence. Job was the wealthiest man of his time. It was not Job’s business acumen or hard work that God commended, however, but his love of God and upright character. (Job 1:8)

Jesus, during his earthly ministry, selected twelve disciples to be his closest recipients of the gospel message and his earthly companions. Did he choose the wise and learned religious leaders? No, in fact the religious elite of the day were sometimes those that He most soundly berated. He gathered together as unlikely a group of miscreants as you would ever expect to make a forceful team of world changers. Several fishermen were included, those used to making a living from long hours, hard and tedious work. Two of these, James and John, the “sons of thunder” possibly had bad tempers and ego problems. A tax collector was unlikely to be someone who would win friends and influence people.  Simon the zealot, someone passionately dedicated to overthrowing the Roman authorities of the day, was probably not the first choice of one to be swayed by talk of peace and forgiveness and love. Yet, therein lies the sovereign beauty of Jesus’ wisdom. He sees the heart.

What God did two thousand years ago, he is still doing today. There is no reason to believe that an intellectually disabled person would not be a fantastic witness for God. A cleaner who spends long hours alone vacuuming hospital corridors, meditating on the things of God, may just be the leader that God has in mind for His purposes. A woman who describes herself as “just a housewife” may be impacting the world through her life and prayers in ways that only God knows. The elderly and infirm, children, refugees, as well as those who are successful and well –established by this world’s standards – God can use us all.

God knows the hearts of all those who love him. He sees his obedient servants. He understands their potential. He knows what He can achieve through lives that are completely surrendered to Him.



Saturday 18 February 2012

Run to You



Lord I run to You
there is no safer place
than the centre of Your will
how I long to
see Your beautiful face
and feel the touch of
an everlasting embrace

Hold me now
while I wait the years
before I come to You
the One who
knows my fears
and marks my loneliness
and counts my tears

Run to You
the joy You give me Lord
is shouted in the skies
is whispered in a prayer
and living in Your word
I run to You
My blessed Father God.

copyright Josephine Collett 2012


Tuesday 14 February 2012

“Doubting” Thomas (John 20: 24-29)

Poor Thomas! His name is doomed to be inextricably linked to an ignominious adjective. Don’t we love to criticize and point the finger at Thomas?
Thomas was one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus, who traveled with Him and was commissioned to preach and teach and minister in His name. He saw Jesus' miracles, enjoyed close fellowship with Him, learned from Him and heard Jesus’ prophecies regarding His [Jesus’] death and resurrection. In John’s gospel, chapter 11, verse 16, following the news of the death of Lazarus, Thomas indicates his loyalty to Jesus, even unto death. At the last supper, Thomas displays his questioning nature and futuristic outlook by asking Jesus “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).
The most celebrated account of Thomas, the story of "Doubting Thomas", is found in John’s gospel chapter 20, verses 24-29. Jesus has been crucified, and has risen from the dead, appearing to some of the apostles. Thomas isn’t present when the others meet with the risen Christ. He churlishly refuses to believe their account until he has proof. This is a man who wants concrete evidence. A week later Jesus appears through locked doors and invites Thomas to literally see for himself.                      
Yes, Thomas was weak and confused and lacking in faith. He was perhaps even resentful that others had seen Jesus before he did.  He was also very human. Given the confusion and fear surrounding the crucifixion, which one of us might also have doubted that Jesus had returned alive?
As with other bible stories, we can be so concerned with the negatives that we fail to notice the great positives contained therein. There were two central players in these few lines – Thomas and Jesus. They reveal much about the character of Jesus.
Jesus had suffered and died a terrible death on the cross. He had risen again from the dead. When he revealed himself again in human form to his disciples, he still bore the wounds inflicted upon him, the nail holes in his hands and the spear wound in his side. He could have easily made his body completely whole again but he didn’t. Our perfect Lord still carried the cruel marks of sinful man. Why should he choose to do so?
Jesus knew that through the marks of his suffering, he would point the way to God for Thomas and to many others who would respond to this gospel account. He loved Thomas so much that he wanted his disciple to know him. Yes, he chided him gently, sorrowfully, but not before allowing him to reach into the wounds in his hands and side.
Jesus’ death on the cross is central to all time to the gospel for fallen humanity. Thomas had asked the question at the last supper “How can we know the way?” Jesus then replied with the wonderful words “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus had told Thomas, now He was showing Thomas.
What an awesome act of honour and obedience to God was performed by Jesus on the cross. What amazing love was demonstrated by our perfect and holy Saviour. It’s difficult for us to try to comprehend the magnitude of the sacrifice. God’s Son was forever changed. Our God is the only God to bear scars.
So too can God can use our physical and emotional wounds and scars, our marks of cruelty and injustice, if we allow him to do so. They may be used to draw others to God, to be a testament to His comfort, healing, forgiveness, and sustaining love.
In verse 28 of John chapter 20, Thomas proclaims "My Lord and my God". The doubter had become a believer. Tradition holds that Thomas traveled extensively and ministered thoughout Persia and was an influential founder of the Christian church in India; that he was a writer, although some manuscripts attributed to him, noteably the "Gospel of Thomas" have not been authenticated; and that he was martyred for his faith. 
I thank God for the humanity of Thomas, and through the story of his doubts, the wonderful account of yet another aspect of Christ’s great love for us.

Saturday 11 February 2012

I touched the hem of His garment

Why? Why?
These past twelve years I have tried to not complain,
But it has been so difficult
My body betrays me
With its infirmity
The law pronounces me an outcast
Look at my sisters – they stand proudly
Amongst their children
Oh, to be healthy and strong as them

The doctors cannot help me
Over the years have found no cure
How I long to be well again
Without this source of constant affliction
With me wherever I go
This shadow of fear that follows me –
Others have died
Will I die too?

Who is this man I am hearing of? –This Jesus
Who heals all who come to Him.
What magic powers does He have, what miracle cure?
Does He know more than the doctors?
It’s worth a try, I am desperate enough to try anything
Maybe He is the answer

There He is in the crowd, why look at them, swarming
Like bees to the honey-pot
I won’t even have a chance to ask Him
Maybe – this power that He has, if I just touched Him,
Just on the hem of his robe, so He won’t know
Just touch Him, quickly and run away

What power is this? For I know
After all these years
I can scarcely dare to believe it
My sorrow is no more
It's turned to joy!
I am whole!
I am free!
What power is this?

“Who touched me?”
He is looking around and his eyes are on me
He sees me
Oh, those eyes
Jesus’ eyes
His face – like a king!
Who am I, that I should steal His power?
Yet he sees me
He knows me
Knows my secret shame

Jesus’ smile
Is flooding my heart with light
I thought the greatest gift would be
The end of suffering
But now I know it is to be
The beginning of knowing Him
His smile, his voice,
Like that of no one else
This man, this king this …God

I touched the hem of his garment
And then I saw His face.                             

copyright Josephine Collett March 2008

The account of the woman who touched Jesus' garment is told in the Bible books of  Matthew chapter 9,  Mark chapter 5 and Luke chapter 8. 


Three little words.......

Sometimes it's just so important to say ......


God is love.

Jesus is Lord.

I love you.

I was wrong.

I am sorry.

Can I help?

I believe you.

Offerings


What can I offer you
In your time of desolation
When the cry of the heart contends with
Even the gladness of a sunny day?
What can I offer you, whose slipped disguise
Reveals in crumpled torment
The layer beneath your outward smiling charm?
When grief stares, piercingly, beckoning
Here I am, old friend, do you know me?
I can but answer, yes, too well
Then I can offer in humble spirit
Another tear
And mirrored brokenness
Yes, I am here
Will be my reply.

copyright Josephine Collett Feb 2011

Monday 6 February 2012

Alone



Towards the end of the fourth chapter of Paul’s second epistle to Timothy, there is a verse (16), that resounds with poignant loneliness :
“At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.”
Paul wrote these words in a prison cell. At a time of intense persecution of Christians under the Emperor Nero, Paul had been called to testify to the Roman authorities and had found himself standing alone. No doubt his friends were fearful of retribution if they were identified as his supporters.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you expected support and it wasn’t forthcoming? Friends disappeared and let you down?
Maybe you are the only Christian in your family or your workplace. You might be excluded from friendship groups or social events for that very reason. You may be the butt of ridicule or be passed by for promotion because of your faith.
Jesus was no stranger to betrayal and desertion. More than any other, he knew what it was to be utterly alone. He not only experienced the treachery of Judas, the scattering of most of the other disciples and the denial of Peter, but far worse than all, He suffered the absolute loss of His Father’s presence whilst suffering an agonizing death  on the cross. A holy, just and righteous God turned His face away from the sin that Jesus had become for our sake, casting His Son into hell.
Praise God that was not the end of the story! For Jesus, by the grace and power of God, triumphed over sin and death and rose again, forever to be in fellowship with His Father. Paul, in his prison cell, understood so very well that even though he had been deserted by his friends, the presence of  God was with Him. In his letter to Timothy, Paul continues (Chapter 4 verse 17) : ”But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it.”
We who have committed our lives to Christ will never have to endure the loneliness that He faced, for He has promised in His word “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). God has a special place in His heart for the lonely and alienated. He sees the deserted husband or wife abandoned to their despair. His eye is on the widow or widower, grieving for a lost spouse. He sits beside the unvisited patient in a hospital bed. And He has not forgotten those of the persecuted church, discriminated against or imprisoned for their faith.
Despite our best intentions, none of us fallible humans give one another the amount of care and attention that Christ alone can.  “..you have been forsaken and hated, with no one travelling through” is a verse in Isaiah, (chapter 60:15), which succinctly describes how often Christians face opposition alone. Again, the following verse turns our attention away from man and onto Christ: “I [Christ] will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.”
It is a blessing to have Christian friends whom we trust and who care for us. We each hope that in time of testing and trial we will stand together for our faith. But we know that there is One in whom we can have unshakeable confidence. Proverbs 19:24 describes Him : “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” He is our Creator, Saviour, Counsellor, protector, comforter and guide. He is always good, always faithful, unfailing, ever-present, the most precious relationship we can ever hope to have in our lives. Father God, Lord Jesus Christ, wonderful Holy Spirit, blessed Trinity. Praise Him.