serving Archives - Invitations to Ascend

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

A meagre offering in the face of the masses

I used to worry when I was doing something for church, running some event or talking with someone or a group of people, that what I had to offer wasn’t good enough. That I would disappoint. That I would let them, and far more significantly, God, down.

But one day it dawned on me. No matter what I did, I couldn’t make something perfect. And in this sphere, above all others, I couldn’t manufacture the kind of outcomes that I longed to see. I certainly could not make God move or act.

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

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.

July 1, 2020October 6, 2020

To kneel in the dust

Today I am struck yet again by the gentleness, compassion and humility of Jesus. I am still in John, and not much further on than when I wrote this post, for I don’t read the Bible quickly. I have done so in the past, I have skimmed large portions of Scripture rapidly. But, I find that approach hard to maintain, and in doing so, I am bombarded by so much that needs careful thought, prayer and consideration that I struggle to find anything to come away with. In the presence of so much to think about, I end up with little to hold on to.

Therefore, I have found that I have to take time. To sit, to dwell and to contemplate. So I move slowly. Sometimes I sit with the same few verses for days, maybe even weeks. I have learnt that it is okay to do this and to not feel guilty for not covering vast quantities of Scripture. But, instead, to let the Spirit speak to me where I am.