The same kind of thing happened this Thursday. I had just finished work and was going to visit a friend before going to the alpha group (for the last time, which was a lovely evening). The plan was to arrive unannounced, pop in, have a cup of tea, and collect a waterproof that would have been useful for homelessless. Unfortunately the friend wasn't in, and so I decided to walk through to church, where alpha training was being held. I had a little free time, and again new the general direction of church, so I began walking there. Again I decided to just walk there without following the familiar paths and roads, but instead walking through fields and forests. The route was good, got me there quicker and I stumbled across black berries I would have never have otherwise found.
A few things emerged from this:
1) Taking time out
In both cases I had free time. If I was busier I would have got a bus to the places I walked, or be thinking the whole journey about where I am going. Instead I had the free time to really enjoy myself and take that risk in not knowing where I was heading or if it was possible to get through? To get to work I have recently started getting a bus some mornings. The journey takes around forty five minutes, and I have no power to speed this bus up. I have found this time brilliant, it is a time-out I have used to read, relax, unwind and prepare for the rest of the day. If you're reading this try and find yourself just half an hour today, and have no agenda with it. That time can be hugely powerful.
2) The beauty of nature
Isaiah 55 really impacted me, verse 1-3* caught my attention when it speaks about provision from God for things that are important, but it is verse 11-12* that I have begun to understand this week. Verse 12 is sung regularly as a hymn called the 'trees of the field' at the end of the service. I always thought of it as a nice hymn at the end, which was really exiting as it got quicker and quicker. It spoke about us leaving joyfully and peaceably whilst mountains break forth before God and trees clap their hands at Him - so a bit strange, maybe something symbolic? It's funny, I've only just started to understand what this verse is trying to say. It's saying that when God's speaking to us, and we follow him joyfully we'll look at nature in a new light. We look at the top of trees swaying, we look at heigh things like mountains; we look at the ducks swimming around, the flowers blooming, fruits growing and all the animals going about their lives and we see God. We see these little creatures created by a wonderful God, and how their lives can bring glory to His name. I used to love a quiet time before church in the morning feeding the ducks or pigeons (I lived along the river), there was something amazing about these little creatures. In the same way that this blog says something about me or a signature reveals something about the person signing, God's creation says something about Him, and I think spending time enjoying it can be used as an act of worship. When you get filled with the spirit, every little thing is for God.
3) God guiding in the little things
There was a safe alternative to follow the man made concrete, it would have been an easy safe option, but I had made that trip hundreds of times. Sometimes our Christian walk can seem similar. We know where we are going, we know what we are called to, how we should be living, what the ultimate ending is. We also know where we are at the moment. We now have a choice, how will I get towards the goal? Will I go a secure safe way, the way everyone else goes? Or will I take a risk, will I go down the path that not that many tread? The most beautiful path, the one full of fruit and new sights? When I went the hard route some times I couldn't see a way, I was near a river and couldn't see the bridge through the trees, or I was along the garages and couldn't see a path, but there was always a way. We can start following the right path that Gods leading us along, and it all seems beautiful. It is all beautiful until suddenly we are unsure where we are, how to get through the next difficulty and why we didn't just take the path we knew. In those times God is faithful, there is a way, and we can trust him even though we are vulnerable in that position.
* 1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
*11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Update:
Since starting this blog I became a Counsellor. You can read more on blog on subjects like Therapy at:
www.simonslistening.co.uk
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