Wilderness years

Ever had contact with a grumbler? They can steal your joy in a second. For some people, life is a series of complaints and they love to share them.

The Exodus story is one of struggle, and victory and great miracles. The events leading up to the crossing of the Red Sea make exciting reading, let alone movies. Yet following the immense parting of the waters and destruction of Pharaoh’s army, the ensuing years seem to be a bit of a letdown. A journey that should be a few day’s duration turns into a trek of forty years wandering around in the desert.

People who wanted their freedom so much, who saw God’s miracles suddenly seem to lose the plot. In chapter sixteen we see them complaining that they are hungry. “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt” they exclaim,” There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted”. They had decided that they were facing death, rather than trusting the Lord who had brought them out of bondage to provide.

In chapter seventeen, having been provided with manna to eat, the people now grumbled that there was nothing to drink and complained again to their leaders, Moses and Aaron. In subsequent chapters, their lack of faith is demonstrated by the fact that when Moses was absent, receiving the Ten Commandments from God they demanded an idol to worship, in the form of a golden calf. Finally, when God brings the Israelites into the vicinity of their Promised Land and Moses sends out spies who report of its hostile inhabitants, the people grumble again. “The Lord hates us; so He brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us.” (Deuteronomy 1:27)

Perhaps slavery had worked an effect of passivity and dependence on this population. God demonstrates His provision and faithfulness, yet they fail to appreciate His blessings, thank Him and trust Him. They continue to sin against Him.  That is why a whole generation wanders in the wilderness instead of entering the promised land.

The stories of the Bible of course are not just history. They demonstrate principles which are as relevant to daily life today as they were three thousand years ago. The Exodus story is one of coming out of bondage, into freedom and new life. This life is one of blessing and provision and change, change for the better if we are able to trust God beyond our external circumstances.

Criticism can become a habit, one that Satan can use to deadly effect in churches.  Critics don’t like the music. They don’t like the preaching style of the minister. They don’t like newcomers coming into the congregation with fresh ideas. Like sparks in a brushfire, the grumbles of a disgruntled few can spread and destroy whole ministries. Those in leadership need our prayers and encouragement.

Similarly, on an individual level we must ensure that we don’t take the blessings of God for granted and grumble when we experience trials and setbacks. In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains how troubles and testing and worries can destroy the gospel message in the heart of the believer. Satan will snatch away your life, if it is not rooted in good soil.

 How do we cultivate such soil? By prayer and praise, study of God’s word, time spent with Him and through fellowship with other Christians in a caring church community. It’s hard to grumble when counting your blessings. The early apostles, themselves no strangers to trials and persecution remind us that times of testing deepen our faith and character. James goes so far as to advise “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2).  Paul writes “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

There is a verse in the great account of love in 1 Corinthians 13 which always resonates with me. Verse 6 reads “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.” I always think of this verse when I hear people talking about the state of the world today with its manifold problems. Sometimes conversations can turn into “pity-parties” – “oh, isn’t it awful” when we consider crimes or immorality or personal afflictions. It’s the salt and light of Christ which heals and gives hope in dark times and we are called upon to share it, gently and respectfully.

It’s easy to look at the Exodus account and wonder why the people grumbled. After all, we know the end of the story. It may not be so easy to be relaxed about major problems that we face in this life, some of which may have no earthly solution or ending. However, we can take heart from God’s word.

“Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31)

“The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you and you have not lacked anything.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

Images at Kata Tjuta, Central Australia

Living in the Shadows

As a lover of art, I’m often browsing paintings on the internet and today I came across an intriguing work that I’d hitherto not seen – “The Shadow of Death” by William Holman Hunt. It was painted around 1873 and now resides in the Manchester City Art Gallery.  It’s a clever construction, depicting Christ as very much alive in His workshop but with distinct references to his future crucifixion and back to his birth in Bethlehem. Mary, his mother, who had much to ponder about following her child’s miraculous birth and prophecies about his future, is seen looking towards the shadow on the wall.

Christ knew that His time on Earth was limited. He knew that He would suffer a horrendous and unjust death.  No matter what joy and fellowship and earthly pleasures He knew in this life, in a sense there was always that shadow upon it, the shadow that cumulated in the intense agony of Christ’s soul in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He sweated drops of blood, pleading with His Father God to spare Him, yet submitting to God’s will.

We all know shadows in our lives. The most fortunate of us know minor flickers of trouble or sadness. Others live with shadows that will follow them throughout their earthly lives- the pain of a permanent disability; the grief of an unexpected tragedy; the ticking time bomb of a loved one’s life-reducing illness; loss, betrayal – the list goes on. Shadows that never leave, that change forever the person that we were, the life that we expected to have.

Yet what is a shadow but a momentary lapse of the sun?

We know that death was not the end for Jesus. In a sense, the picture also tells another story. The earthen floor becomes that of a tomb, the reflected opening that of the open door where the stone was rolled away and we see the risen Christ, the cross and earthly Roman world behind Him, his body vibrant and muscular. Death and suffering are defeated. Jesus reigns.
So it is for us. We may suffer in this life, but we have the comfort and joy of Christ's love, and the presence of His Holy Spirit with us till the end. We have the  hope of a glorious life to follow in Heaven, where all tears are wiped away. Jesus said:

" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."( John 14:27)
and the Bible promises the believers:
"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:3,4)
This hope brings comfort and lasting joy unlike any other comforts that the world can provide. It is a sure and true hope for those in dark places. 
In the shadows, the Son still shines.

Power, riches, hope... the Great Prayers of Ephesians

The Biblical book of Ephesians is such a great book. Actually, the Bible contains sixty-six great books, for every book reveals much of the nature of God and His great love for us. The apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus is an epistle that can and should be read by new Christians and reread by those of us who have experienced faith in Christ for a long time, for it both instructs and encourages.

In Ephesians, we see a progression of thought that is mirrored in the spiritual development of a believer. It explains Christianity’s impact on the self, our interactions with others including those nearest to us, and finally the world around us with all its issues. Let’s not run ahead too quickly because without the original foundational relationship, the others will not make sense.

What does it take to become a Christian? 

How do I know that God wants me? 

Some people who have been on a faith journey for many years may still be asking these questions. They doubt that they are worthy enough for God. They’re struggling with sin or not doing enough for Christ.

This is bad theology.

Have a look at the world’s great religions and you’ll find that most of them operate on the premise of working your way into their god’s good books- pray so many prayers, do good deeds, even suffer- in order to achieve a place in heaven or a better life next time around. Christianity is the only religion which begins from the standpoint of God, who in His love, extends free salvation through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

In the opening chapter of Ephesians, Paul explains that God was thinking about you before He even created this world in which we live- that He created you to be adopted by Him. It’s only sin that has separated us from God, and God provided the way back to Himself because Jesus bore the sins of all people on the cross. God did it all. Our part is just to come to Him and ask Him into our lives.

When a baby is born to loving parents, that child is taken home and cared for and provided with all he or she needs for a happy life- necessities and luxuries, discipline, boundaries, freedoms and love. The baby grows into a mature adult. Throughout their lives, the family shares a bond of love and relationship.  So it is with our Heavenly Father when we are adopted into His family. The life He gives is one of incredible relationship and blessing. This is why Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 1:

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

(verses 17 & 18)

The western world seems to be increasingly involved in a mad scramble for wealth and power and all the trappings that come with it. The fact of the matter is that of themselves, things, achievements, experiences and many relationships are transitory, as is all life on this earth. Without God in our lives we live without hope for a lasting future, for a love that surpasses all earthly ones and for strength imparted through His Holy Spirit. 

My parents first took me to church and taught me about God. God’s love has been the love of my life. My wonderful husband and two beautiful boys and lovely daughter have been the loves of my life too. But one need not be born into a Christian home to become a Christian. God is drawing people from all walks of life, throughout the world into His family. The gospel, or “good news” is for everybody.  If you want to become a Christian, it’s as simple as praying a prayer of commitment like the following prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father God,
I come before You acknowledging You as the only one God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. Thank You, Father God, for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, honouring You and making a way for sinful people to come back into relationship with You. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. Please forgive my sin and cleanse me I pray. I receive Jesus Christ into my life to be my Lord and Saviour for the rest of my days. May You give me strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to live my life as a Christian. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen

And then following up with Bible reading and fellowship with other Christians in a caring church. There are lots of resources online.
Note that Paul was actually directing his prayer to the believers in Ephesus. We see that life in Christ is one of continuing revelations and knowledge, and the wisdom to use that knowledge for God. Paul continues this theme in another prayer in chapter 3:

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (verses 16-19)

It is my prayer that anyone reading here will know the transforming love of God in their hearts.