Author: Carol Purves

Change of Plan

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I recently had a train journey which went anything but smoothly. Because of a train derailment further up the line, I was directed to another route where I had several changes of train. My plans for the day were in disarray. Then to keep myself calm and while away the time I began to think of people in the Bible whose plans were changed, big time.

Paul set out on a journey to persecute Christians which was his normal practice. Before the day was out he had fallen on his knees, gone blind, was not able to complete his journey and was given a new name. That rather puts my train delays in the shade. I was not injured in any way, had retained my sight, did eventually complete my journey and kept my identity throughout.

Like Paul, God turned my plans into small adventures for His good. Cancelled trains mean crowds of people. Before I was even able to get on my first train I managed to grab the only empty platform seat and I found myself sitting next to a friend I hadn’t seen for months. She was able to tell me of the progress of a mutual friend who had been involved in a car accident. Later that day she was able to pass on my good wishes to the injured friend. I was then introduced to a further friend of hers also waiting for non-existent trains. As Christians we had a lot in common and were able to talk about Christian matters. Very small incidents but I was able to go on my way rejoicing. Potential frustration was turned into satisfaction. God had gone before.

Christian Writers

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Last weekend I went to a Christian writers’ conference in Stirling. What a joy is was to meet fellow Christians face to face, those who were Christians as well as writers. We had a brilliant speaker, worthwhile discussions and a time of great encouragement.

Isolation is one of the dangers of this age. Loneliness is a growing problem. Covid and increased technology are a couple of the reasons. We have got out of the habit of meeting together. Zoom and the telephone are of value but nothing beats a hug of handshake. An increased lack of mobility can be a problem for some and a valid reason for not meeting with others.

Singing in the bath might sound good but singing with others in a packed church or hall is far better for us. Podcasts, videos and other ways of hearing God’s word are good but much better to listen to a sermon surrounded by others, with a chance to discuss it with fellow worshippers. The Bible gives us guidance. In Ecclesiastes we read ‘Two are better than one’ and in Hebrews 10:25 we also read ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,’ So thank you to the Scottish Fellowship of Christian Writers for being intentional and allowing us to meet face to face.

Communion

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In Luke 22:19 we read’Do this in remembrance of me.’ Nowadays this supper and instruction goes under various names ‘Breaking of Bread, Eucharist, Last Supper, or Communion depending on the type of church where we worship. Whatever the title the ceremony is still remembering our Lord and His sacrifice for us. We read the account of this meal firstly in Luke 22:7-23 and again in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 .

This is a covenant between God, us and each other which is good when we actually take the elements together. Without the shedding of blood there is no healing. Jesus had to shed His blood for our healing. Love and justice meet at the cross.

There are times when we make the ceremony something we have to do when all that is necessary is to receive. As requested we need to remember. This service is a reminder. There are not many commands that Jesus gives us, but this is one ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’

Goliaths

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From time to time Goliaths appear in our lives. appear in all our lives. We are faced with insurmountable problems, worries and disasters which are quite ”insurmountable.’ I’m not a person who naturally worries a lot but when these concerns arise I do my share of worrying. Being a person who likes to be in control I keep thinking of solutions. Usually there are none. Night-times seem to be for scheming and not for sleeping.

I need to take a leaf out of David, the shepherd’s, life. He didn’t scheme or plan or have sleepless nights. I wonder if he worried at all when he faced the giant Goliath. Reading the psalms that he wrote later in his life I imagine he was completely calm. His trust was solely in God. ‘I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel,’ he cried ‘It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves.’

Scarred

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I am encouraged that our bodies will be perfect in heaven. My friend will be able to walk and I will be able to sing. Two attributes neither of us have at the moment. While our bodies will be perfect, the body of Jesus will not.

I know that the hands that Thomas wished to see will be scarred by the torture of the nails. But it is His whole body which will show the signs of His terrible ordeal. His ankles will be torn by the cruelty of the nails and His side will show the sword thrust. His back will be scarred by the beatings and scourging He received. Maybe His whole body will be distorted by the ordeal.

As Matthew Bridges says in his hymn Crown Him with many crowns – ‘behold His hands and side.’ And the even angels will be affected by the sight of Jesus ‘ ‘No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,

but downward bends their burning eye at mysteries so bright.’

But how about us, He died for our sake.

Complex Jesus

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I find myself amazed at the complexity of Jesus. At one time we see Him as a teacher instructing the disciples as well as very large numbers of crowds. We are told He taught as ‘one having authority.’ Then we see Him taking little children in His arms and blessing them . He is gentle and loving showing the importance of these little ones.

He is not always sunshine and light; He shows His ire when He sees the misuse of the temple and tables are overturned and coins sent rolling across the floor. Another day Jesus is healing the sick , a young child, the blind, the crippled and restoring life.

Then under God’s allowance the body of Jesus is whipped and scarred and left to die on a cross. His mutilated body is then buried before the miracle of His resurrection and ascension. Our human eyes only see a small facet of His character. Imagine how much more wonderful it will be when we see Him face to face.

Football

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This weekend my local football team earned a place to play at Wembley. The last time this happened was a number of years ago and I was thrilled to be there. This year I had to content myself by watching on a large screen in Carlisle with a many other people. The crowd was very enthusiastic, shouting and cheering when we scored a goal. I was quite blown away by the fervour shown. I know Bill Shankley once said, though this might be a misquot’e, Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important.’

Of course, that’s not true. Yes, football is an important game, loved by some and tolerated by others. But on this Pentecost Sunday we are reminded what is really important. Football matches are won or lost, football clubs will come and go but the giving of the Holy Spirit is for Eternity. {We won the match!)

Impatience

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‘I’m nearly six,’ my five year old young neighbour tells me every time I see him. Being six is obviously something to be attained to. My great-niece also has the same yearning to be older. ‘Next year I’m going to be a teenager. Then I can be difficult.’ Oh dear I see trouble coming there. I can remember longing to be 21, we didn’t have special eighteenth’s then. There were more things I was legally allowed to do.at the special age of twenty-one.

By the time we reach our 40’s our attitudes change. Some people remain at 39 for a number of years! In our 40’s, 50’s and 60’s we try to pretend that we are actually younger. We don’t look forward to old age. Then a change comes with our 70′, 80′, and onwards. People begin to be proud of their age. I’m in my 80’s so I should know.

I wonder why we have such an obsession with age. Every season of life has it’s great blessings. God doesn’t see our age; God sees our heart. When people scurry through life they’re only hurrying towards death. May we enjoy every moment that God has given us. Every second is a gift.

Work, Worry, Worship,

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It is possible for our lives to be all work and worry. Wall to wall work to give us the money to worry about what we can’t afford. It can be vicious circle. We work to eat, to work, to eat and so on. Is this what God has planned for us? If we add the third ‘W’ we will take our eyes off ourselves and look up to God. It is said ‘My God will supply all your need.’

We don’t need to worry. God has everything in His plan. ‘He will not let our foot be moved.’ Worship is the essential ingredient. We are programmed to worship, it will lead us up instead of downwards. It is worship that leaves no place for worry. We can work and worship and leave worry behind.

Forgotten

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I wonder if Moses was ever haunted by his younger life when he had killed an Egyptian? Did David recall with horror his past sins? We read of his remorse in his psalms. What did Paul think when he recalled his persecution of Christians before his conversation on the road to Damascus? Maybe they were able to act out the words of Isaiah 43:18 ‘Forget the former things, says the Lord, do not dwell on the past.’

I know I can recall the ‘sins of my youth.’ I didn’t always do things well as i tended to go down a few wrong paths.Some of my omissions and wrong acts have affected my life today. But Isaiah reminds us that God tells us to forget. God has banished our sins ‘as far as the east is from the west.’ Why should I carry the load around? God has redeemed my sins and by the power of the Holy Spirit I must let them go.