Checking Our Resources
This was written for our Circuit Daily Devotions which appear Monday to Friday as part of the online ministry. If you would prefer to watch and listen to them they are available here:
This is the written version for those who find that more helpful.
I wonder how many of you celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating pancakes – they are certainly popular in our house!
Pancakes came from the tradition of giving something up for Lent. Eating pancakes was the way to get rid of all those things that you would give up – so that they were not in the cupboard tempting you. It goes along with the idea of spring-cleaning (a completely alien concept here!!), of getting ready for spring and new life.
Whether we give something up for Lent or not, it is no bad thing to have the ‘spring clean’ for ourselves, to look in the cupboards of our lives and see what is there, and what should be there that is not.
A few years ago, when I could still perform such culinary skills, when I went to my cupboard to get out the ingredients for the pancakes, I found that my flour was out of date anyway. I needed to get it out of my cupboard and get rid of it. A good root through the cupboards also reminds us of the things that are missing. My husband asked where the marmalade was – I was sure there was some in the cupboard, but there was not – some more needed to be bought. And you never know just what you might find! Right at the back of the cupboard, hidden in a corner were some biscuits left over from Christmas – a treat waiting to be found. Taking a good look lets you know where you are.
The same applies with our lives. We may find things that would be better not there. We may discover some things are missing and be able to put it right. We might find some good things that we had forgotten about that we could be using.
We have all had a tough year. Many of us will be running out of resources, if not run out long ago. Perhaps we have discovered, or rediscovered resources we had forgotten about or buried. I wonder today, where and how are we running low? What inner depths have we discovered? What resources may we find buried deep within us if we look.
It takes courage to pause and look deep within ourselves. To take time to examine who and what we are, what is deep within us, what really matters – but it is always worthwhile. To take a physical, emotional, and spiritual stock take. Where am I with God? Where is God with me? If Tim were asking me for my Testimony Tuesday (a regular Tuesday conversation about someone’s faith journey – which have been brilliant – always good to hear someone else’s story!), what would I be able to say to him?
Tomorrow I am going to give us the opportunity to take that time with a framework for reflection.
As we come to its beginning, Lent remembers the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Preparing for his future, working out who and what his priorities were – and then he could go and do what he needed to, what he was called to. We too can take the opportunity to spend that time with God, looking at our lives and looking to our future. Strengthened for the journey ahead, getting ready for Easter, the new life of spring and our onward life from this point.
The suggested bible reading for today is this one from 2 Peter 1:16-21:
Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory
16 We have not depended on made-up stories in making known to you the mighty coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With our own eyes we saw his greatness. 17 We were there when he was given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!” 18 We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures. 21 For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.
Where have I seen the greatness of Jesus? Where have I heard God’s voice, pointing to what he is doing? Do I pay attention to God’s message and have confidence in it? Can I see God’s word, God himself shining in dark places? Does it shine in my heart?
Thank you Lord
for the resources you give me,
for the things that are buried
deep in my heart
that I can rely on,
for your word,
your way.
As I take time,
and courage,
to pause
and look,
help me to see
what is of worth,
to know
what I am better without,
to discover anew
my confidence,
my hope,
in you.
Today’s song suggestion is Spirit Leads Me, a response to looking in the cupboards of our lives with God and flowing the lead God gives us. Offering the courage to say ‘yes’ or let go, to dive in or be still as God guides and strengthens us.
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