We find ourselves at that point in time again, having stepped out of the old year and into the new. Another series of events has been laid upon the previous pattern of our lives, filed away under the tidy but otherwise meaningless heading of 2008, just as 2009 suddenly lies open before us.
Discernment is necessary if we are to evaluate our past experience in any meaningful way, and our discernment has to include an ability to sift through the wreckage of past dreams, to recognize the solid and the sound amid the crumbling and insubstantial debris at our feet, and to link those salvaged building blocks from our past one to the other in a framework that advances our knowledge of how we came to be the persons we are, and how we came to be in the place we occupy today.
Something will have occurred in the last twelve months that has altered our lives; it may have moved us forward, enlightened us, knocked us back a little – or drastically and brutally; it may have freed us, grieved us, swept us off our feet, or buried us in fear, or stress, or anxiety. We have all been through something that has contributed to the overall shape and texture of our lives. For some of us it will be obvious; for others less so. In some cases the relevance may evade us completely until later: perhaps during the coming year – possibly even beyond that. Even the devastating events in our lives bring something other than distress and pain, though the passage of time is essential for this awareness to be realized within our limited understanding.
Discernment is necessary if we are to evaluate our past experience in any meaningful way, and our discernment has to include an ability to sift through the wreckage of past dreams, to recognize the solid and the sound amid the crumbling and insubstantial debris at our feet, and to link those salvaged building blocks from our past one to the other in a framework that advances our knowledge of how we came to be the persons we are, and how we came to be in the place we occupy today.
Something will have occurred in the last twelve months that has altered our lives; it may have moved us forward, enlightened us, knocked us back a little – or drastically and brutally; it may have freed us, grieved us, swept us off our feet, or buried us in fear, or stress, or anxiety. We have all been through something that has contributed to the overall shape and texture of our lives. For some of us it will be obvious; for others less so. In some cases the relevance may evade us completely until later: perhaps during the coming year – possibly even beyond that. Even the devastating events in our lives bring something other than distress and pain, though the passage of time is essential for this awareness to be realized within our limited understanding.
My own lessons learned have been in the nature of teaching that I must always believe that my journey is worthwhile. I must not allow doubts as to my worth and my ability to discern the right path to prevent me from continuing my walk, my search and my attempts to encourage others to continue with theirs. Nothing has happened during the last year to cause me great distress, and I am conscious again of the trials others have been through while I have been blessed with the peace only my continued faith could bring.
The year has produced its share of horrific happenings around the world, some of which leave us wondering whether humanity has indeed raised itself from the tooth and claw of the animal world. We would normally believe this to be so, but there is so much evidence that appears to support a contrary belief. We must never allow ourselves to doubt the God given potential for good that is in each one of us as members of the human race.
Far less traumatic than the experiences of many people in other parts of the world, but devastating nonetheless, was the product of the unusually prolonged and heavy rainfall on one day in 2007 (see 22nd July ‘07 post). This last year has been one of recovery from that event for many people. Tewkesbury, a town I have lived within easy reach of since childhood, became known nationally through the consequences of the flooding that resulted from that day, and, not far away though less publicised, was the Christian community of The House of the Open Door at Childswickham (see 6th August 2007 post).
With all that has been endured – the rebuilding of lives, confidence and a sense of security, as well as of structures, requiring no less a part of that endurance than the destruction itself – I trust that God will grant all whose lives were so abruptly altered that day with a year of blessings after the long year of rebuilding and re-evaluation that was 2008.
The Sept/Oct 2008 edition of Good News magazine contained an article aptly entitled ‘The Lord Provides’ about these and other events at The House of the Open Door. As previously, may I suggest that it is worth a look. http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn0809/g04.htm
As Bernie Hall says at the end of her article, ‘The Lord gives and the Lord takes away’.
May all whose experiences have led to their glass seeming half-empty and rapidly slipping away, recognize the blessings that will transform their glass into one that is half-full and showing the promise of becoming filled to the brim.
The Lord may at first appear to take away, but from the better viewpoint (and nothing betters hindsight for getting us there) the Lord gives and gives again. If we can but trust Him to the full we shall come to recognize the truth: that He is giving to us every day, come shine or rain: come drought or flood.
There are times when we are called to follow the stream and there are times when we must stand firm while it flows right through us. Community relies on each of us being able to persevere and grow through both experiences in the way that the HOD Community has done. As I raise my brimming glass to their faith and their future, I pray that the coming year may bring each of us a greater awareness of our blessings.
The year has produced its share of horrific happenings around the world, some of which leave us wondering whether humanity has indeed raised itself from the tooth and claw of the animal world. We would normally believe this to be so, but there is so much evidence that appears to support a contrary belief. We must never allow ourselves to doubt the God given potential for good that is in each one of us as members of the human race.
Far less traumatic than the experiences of many people in other parts of the world, but devastating nonetheless, was the product of the unusually prolonged and heavy rainfall on one day in 2007 (see 22nd July ‘07 post). This last year has been one of recovery from that event for many people. Tewkesbury, a town I have lived within easy reach of since childhood, became known nationally through the consequences of the flooding that resulted from that day, and, not far away though less publicised, was the Christian community of The House of the Open Door at Childswickham (see 6th August 2007 post).
With all that has been endured – the rebuilding of lives, confidence and a sense of security, as well as of structures, requiring no less a part of that endurance than the destruction itself – I trust that God will grant all whose lives were so abruptly altered that day with a year of blessings after the long year of rebuilding and re-evaluation that was 2008.
The Sept/Oct 2008 edition of Good News magazine contained an article aptly entitled ‘The Lord Provides’ about these and other events at The House of the Open Door. As previously, may I suggest that it is worth a look. http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn0809/g04.htm
As Bernie Hall says at the end of her article, ‘The Lord gives and the Lord takes away’.
May all whose experiences have led to their glass seeming half-empty and rapidly slipping away, recognize the blessings that will transform their glass into one that is half-full and showing the promise of becoming filled to the brim.
The Lord may at first appear to take away, but from the better viewpoint (and nothing betters hindsight for getting us there) the Lord gives and gives again. If we can but trust Him to the full we shall come to recognize the truth: that He is giving to us every day, come shine or rain: come drought or flood.
There are times when we are called to follow the stream and there are times when we must stand firm while it flows right through us. Community relies on each of us being able to persevere and grow through both experiences in the way that the HOD Community has done. As I raise my brimming glass to their faith and their future, I pray that the coming year may bring each of us a greater awareness of our blessings.
‘How blessed is anyone ...
who delights in the law of the Lord
and murmurs his law day and night.
Such a one is like a tree planted near streams;
it bears fruit in season
and its leaves never wither,
and every project succeeds.'
(Psalms 1:1-3)
