Often around this time of year when I notice the date on the calendar I feel my heart rate quicken. The time until Christmas Day is no longer counted in weeks but in days. There is a feeling of dread in amongst the delight and anticipation, because the Christmas season is usually so full. Full of busy and bustle, obligations and appointments, expectation and shopping – all the things that must be done before the hard deadline of the 25th.
Continue reading “The deep breath of Advent”Where is Jesus to be found?
We often talk about seeking God, and of finding him. Of searching for him, and of longing for him. Oh, how I long to find him, to see him, to touch him. I long for the day that I will see him face to face. (See the end of this post for a list of our previous posts that have touched on this topic). Oddly enough, though, in the context of those thoughts, I have not often given much consideration to the following verses. But over the past few days, these are the words I have been pondering. These words of Jesus have echoed in my heart and reverberated in my mind.
Continue reading “Where is Jesus to be found?”Sleep as a spiritual practice
Before I had children I did not realise what a gift sleep is. Now, after nearly six years of my sleep hours not being my own, I see differently. Sleep is precious and sometimes fragile. I hope I never take a full night’s sleep for granted again and am grateful always for it.
But even in this appreciation for the physical benefit of sleep, I have not until now thought of sleep as a spiritual practice. I’ve recently come alive to the idea that even in sleeping we can be in the presence of God and God can be at work in us.
Continue reading “Sleep as a spiritual practice”How’s the serenity?
One of the lessons of 2020 that is already loud and clear is that the circumstances of life, from personal to global, can be relied on to be stormy. I shouldn’t be surprised by this, after all Jesus himself did say “In this world you will have trouble.” But this year it’s abundantly clear that we cannot rely on our external world to give us peace. There is much that could be said about trials and troubles, but one thing that is drawing my attention is the invitation to serenity.
Serenity is the quality of being peaceful and calm, and cheerful with it. To be serene is to by marked by utter and unruffled tranquillity whatever is going on.
Continue reading “How’s the serenity?”Tell me about Jesus
I’m not really a fan of small talk. I know my personality type has a lot to answer for here, but as an INFJ, I would rather just skip the small talk, and talk instead about what really matters. Don’t get me wrong, I can talk about the weather just like anyone who has lived for any length of time in this southern city at the bottom of the world. I know that social norms dictate small talk as a safe and comfortable place to converse, I get that many would much rather stay there than delve into meaning and depth of connection.
But if I had a choice, and if I thought anyone would respond with even a little enthusiasm, this would be the question I would ask: Tell me about Jesus, please? Not just about what you know of him or what you have read about him, but tell me about him. What does he say to you, and how does he say it? What does he look like? Can you describe him for me? How have you found him?
Perhaps, you know nothing of this Jesus and these questions strike you as being profoundly odd, if so please continue reading, I hope what follows brings you a little clarity, perhaps you might also like to read this.
Continue reading “Tell me about Jesus”Longing for God and the Gift of the Desert
For many years I longed for God. I wanted to know him, to see him, for a depth of relationship that was neither superficial nor non-existent. But while this was the longing and cry of my heart, my experience was far different. Despite my efforts, God seemed remote. I would read my Bible, I would pray, but the times that God appeared to draw near were rare. For me, this was my reality for more than fifteen years.
Continue reading “Longing for God and the Gift of the Desert”