Thank God

•November 23, 2011 • Leave a Comment

It’s always nice when people say thank you, especially if they are thanking you for just being you – not necessarily for the things you do, but the person you are.

It strikes me as we read through Paul’s letters to the churches, that he is always keen to express his appreciation to people and what they do and mean to him. He does it again in this reading.

That makes me wonder, how ready we are to let others know how much they mean to us, how much they help us, how closer they lead us to God?  It is a good thing to do.

So what was Paul thankful for in the Corinthians?

Their lives are visibly enriched by God’s grace at work in  them; their speaking is a testimony to Christ; they are waiting eagerly for Jesus to be revealed.

Are these things others would thank God for in our lives?  Would they see such qualities in us?

As we give thanks for others, we reflect too on our lives.  Are they the beacon for God they could be?

Thank you God

for the people you have put in my life.

Those who show love,

and patience;

those who show me you

and your ways.

May I appreciate them,

thank them,

and in doing so

reflect on my life

and if it helps others

Posted in God, Jesus, Lectionary
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That’s Why

•November 22, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Why doesn’t God do something

The cry you often hear from people, usually when things are going wrong.  They want to know why God doesn’t step in and sort things out.

Isaiah asks pretty much the same question: why God doesn’t come and tear the sky apart, why he doesn’t come down, why he doesn’t come and reveal himself now?

For he goes on to explain why he thinks the world needs sorting out.  People – us – we have continued to go on doing wrong, even though we knew it would make God angry; no one turns to God in prayer, to spend time listening and sharing with God; we don’t turn to God for help, preferring instead to do our thing.

And in that I think, is the answer.  That is why God doesn’t come yet.  Because we are not right, and in the depths of his love he wants to give us every opportunity to turn to him.

For Isaiah cries out to the one who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.  The Messiah, the one who can save us from ourselves and our ways.  We can come to him for help, and if we do he won’t be angry any longer – but will welcome us, love us, forgive us, free us and set us right.  For that is God’s desire.  Not to destroy us, but for us to know his ways to live and enjoy all that brings.

Having said that, the time will come, when enough is enough.  God will return…

Thank you God that you are doing something,

you are waiting for us,

loving us,

ready to forgive,

to free, waiting until you can wait no longer.

Lord,

I come to you.

I see what you have done,

I know what you ask of me,

and I don’t reach that.

Thank you that, if we bring them to you

you do not hold those things against us forever.

Forgive me

I pray

Posted in forgiveness, God, Lectionary
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I didn’t do it

•November 17, 2011 • Leave a Comment

“It wasn’t me I didn’t do it”, the oft cited excuse of many.  I didn’t do what you think I did, what you’re accusing me of…

Jesus turns that totally around in theThe Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

They are accused, not of doing something wrong – but of failing to do some good.  The people are quite happy with the way they have been living, content they have been doing what they should have.  Little do they realise…  Conversely, those who have been doing good, are unaware – it is just natural to them.

Feeding the hungry, inviting in the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick and imprisoned are actions that God expects; not turning a blind eye or supposing someone else will do it.  They are done, not to be seen to be doing something, but to genuinely help.  Our attitude to the needs of others says a lot about our attitude to God, and in serving others, we are also serving him.

I cannot think of this story expressed in a better way than Keith Green’s powerful retelling

The conclusion:

the only difference between the sheep and the goats, was what they did – and didn’t do!

Lord,

what have I done,

or not done?

Forgive me

for the good I could have done

and didn’t,

for doing things just to be seen,

for leaving others to struggle,

for failing to serve

both my fellow human being

and you.

May I see what others need

and give it

to them and to you

 

 

Posted in bible, God, Jesus, Lectionary
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