How deep do we go for our spiritual resources? When all seems arid and dry, are we left panting & despairing, or do we know deeper sources that can nourish us and enable us to continue?
A shallow spirituality will be thrown off course or simply give up easily by whatever difficultly turns up. Lets be clear - things to throw us will come: wobblies, issues, problems, maybe even downright confrontation. The point is how we deal with them, and that relates to the quality & depth of our spiritual plumbing system.
I was struck by Job. By chapter 16 things are really looking down, which given the circumstances is no surprise. Yet in the midst of the gloom Job still maintains a hope that surpasses those who have tried to come alongside him. In 17:10-16 he exhibits a deep conviction that hope can be maintained in God.
The 'comforters' paint negative images (e.g. chapter 15), with them all pointers start to point south. But for Job, resurrection is possible (14:14), along with redemption and forgiveness (14:16-17).
Our hope most not be just for the grave, but beyond it. As we increase our work, as we find ourselves doing more in mission, I believe we must learn to dig deeper wells to tap the depth of resources that we are going to need.
Its time to dig deeper wells.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Which Mountain?
Hebrews 12:18 - 24 makes a big contrast between two mountains. On the one hand there is the mountain on the desert journey. Access was restricted, only Moses could climb. The people, being unholy, had to keep their distance; there was fire, darkness and other pyro-technic effects to re-enforce the point.
The other mountain is God dwelling with people, already figuratively described in the prophets - the place where people could come to meet with God. It is accessible, it is a place of celebration, it is where God is with the people. Note that God is still described as 'Judge of all', and so presumably still requires holiness. Through Jesus bringing the new covenant holiness is now possible. Sacrifice and sprinkled blood feature on both mountains, but are in completely different leagues.
The author it is quite clear: as believers in Jesus we live in the times of the second mountain, where God can be approached. Whereas at the first people asked to keep their distance, in the second believers can now come up.
The question is: in the way that we relate our faith to other people (be it verbally, through our actions, or the way we live) which mountain do we portray? Number one, with its boundaries, trembling and fear, or number two, with its joy, acceptance and living presence?
The other mountain is God dwelling with people, already figuratively described in the prophets - the place where people could come to meet with God. It is accessible, it is a place of celebration, it is where God is with the people. Note that God is still described as 'Judge of all', and so presumably still requires holiness. Through Jesus bringing the new covenant holiness is now possible. Sacrifice and sprinkled blood feature on both mountains, but are in completely different leagues.
The author it is quite clear: as believers in Jesus we live in the times of the second mountain, where God can be approached. Whereas at the first people asked to keep their distance, in the second believers can now come up.
The question is: in the way that we relate our faith to other people (be it verbally, through our actions, or the way we live) which mountain do we portray? Number one, with its boundaries, trembling and fear, or number two, with its joy, acceptance and living presence?
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Testify
Ever noticed how important testifying about Jesus was to John when he wrote his gospel?
In chapter 1 you have the witness of John the baptist integral to getting the momentum going (v6-8, v15, v19f, v29f and 3:27).
Then in 1:49 Nathanael testifies loud and clear. With ministry then underway, there is the testimony of the key signs, beginning with water into wine. Signs are important (2:23 and 3:2).
Accepting the testimony asserts that God is indeed right: the testifier is speaking for God and on behalf of God (3:33). More on this in 13:20.
More on testimony in 5:31f. Note how works/actions speak also (5:36).
The Spirit will testify too: 15:26 and 16:8-10!
A bit more testimony thrown in for good measure in 19:35.
And in the final verses, testimony again - this time converted to written form (21:24-25).
Yes, I think we can conclude that to testify about Jesus is very important to John. And we are to testify too, joining in with the Spirit's testimony (15:27). The woman at the well caught onto this very fast - she simply told what she had surmised about Jesus (4:28-29).
And the cool thing is ... testimony inspires belief (4:39).
Go on - give it a go!
In chapter 1 you have the witness of John the baptist integral to getting the momentum going (v6-8, v15, v19f, v29f and 3:27).
Then in 1:49 Nathanael testifies loud and clear. With ministry then underway, there is the testimony of the key signs, beginning with water into wine. Signs are important (2:23 and 3:2).
Accepting the testimony asserts that God is indeed right: the testifier is speaking for God and on behalf of God (3:33). More on this in 13:20.
More on testimony in 5:31f. Note how works/actions speak also (5:36).
The Spirit will testify too: 15:26 and 16:8-10!
A bit more testimony thrown in for good measure in 19:35.
And in the final verses, testimony again - this time converted to written form (21:24-25).
Yes, I think we can conclude that to testify about Jesus is very important to John. And we are to testify too, joining in with the Spirit's testimony (15:27). The woman at the well caught onto this very fast - she simply told what she had surmised about Jesus (4:28-29).
And the cool thing is ... testimony inspires belief (4:39).
Go on - give it a go!
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Downward Movement
Look at the great 'throne room' passages in the early part of Revelation and it contains (pretty much) what you would expect: John is lifted up into the very place where God is seated, surrounded by those gathered to adore and worship. Its a great vision, and encouraging for us all.
Yet reach the concluding passages of Revelation and there is a subtle difference. Rather than the upward movement for John, it emphasizes a downward movement of a 'holy city'. Reading a bit more it then becomes clear that God Himself is in this city, inhabiting it, providing its light & sustenance - and so God even seems to be in this downward movement.
God comes down to us.
John 1 - the word became flesh: another downward movement. Philippians 2 - same deal. Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Spirit - more downward movement on a hitherto unprecedented scale.
God comes down to us. He has already done it in the person of Jesus Christ. He has already done it (and goes on doing it) in the person of the Spirit.
Time as we know it will be completed when the whole God-head comes down.
Yet reach the concluding passages of Revelation and there is a subtle difference. Rather than the upward movement for John, it emphasizes a downward movement of a 'holy city'. Reading a bit more it then becomes clear that God Himself is in this city, inhabiting it, providing its light & sustenance - and so God even seems to be in this downward movement.
God comes down to us.
John 1 - the word became flesh: another downward movement. Philippians 2 - same deal. Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Spirit - more downward movement on a hitherto unprecedented scale.
God comes down to us. He has already done it in the person of Jesus Christ. He has already done it (and goes on doing it) in the person of the Spirit.
Time as we know it will be completed when the whole God-head comes down.
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