Author: Carol Purves

After the Resurrection

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We were discussing the other day as to whether Jesus was fully human and fully divine after the resurrection. We thought about the fact that He was eating breakfast with His disciples showed that He was fully human. We also remembered that Jesus appeared inside locked rooms, something He didn’t do before His death.

When we thought about the human side we considered how He would feel knowing the crucifixion and resurrection were behind Him and that He had completed the work that He had been sent to earth to do. He didn’t primarily come to earth to do miracles, though this was something He did. He came to die for the sins of the world from the beginning of time to the very end. His cry on the cross is actually one word in the original Greek of the Bible ‘tetelestai.’ It says it all.

The Widow at Zarephath

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The saying goes ‘One good turn deserves another.’ A good saying but not executed much in our societies. This widow in this story was in such great need that she was preparing the last meal for herself and her son before preparing to die of starvation. How unwelcome Elijah’s request would have been! There would not be enough food for three people but nevertheless, she obeys. You can’t gainsay a prophet’s command.

Her obedience was rewarded a hundredfold. The jar of flour would not be used up and the jug of oil would not run dry until the drought was over. She would be catering for Elijah for the next few years. Then we are told that some time later the young son would fall ill and die. Again her kindness would be rewarded yet again. Elijah performed a miracle and brought the lad back to life.

This meant that neither the widow or her son died of starvation during the period of drought. She would also be depending on her son to provide for her as he grew up and this he was able to do because of Elijah’s intervention. Our God is a future-planner.

Missed Out

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Because of double booking or ill-health I hate missing out on anything. I can’t imagine how terrible Thomas would have felt by missing out on the first appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. When he met the others they would all have been bursting with the news. They had actually seen Jesus alive! Not having had the same experience Thomas would have felt completely ‘out of it.’ This may have explained his outburst.

When Jesus did appear a further time Thomas was there and specially included by Jesus. How embarrassed he would have been when Jesus made the offer. ‘Put your finger here, see my hands.’

Do we sometimes say to God ‘If only this or that would happen, I would believe?’ We can’t treat God like that, we can’t bargain with Him.

The Clouds

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I know that God is everywhere on earth and in heaven, but I love looking at the clouds and imagining Him up there. When the sky is bright blue (sky-blue) I can think of Him up there looking down on His world. It is as if the blueness goes on for ever. When the sky is dark and overcast I know that He is still there beyond the darkness.

Clouds dark or otherwise are so insubstantial. A change of wind direction or speed they are gone. Compared to the vastness of the sky they have no depth. They have formations, they change shape, have different forms and different names. Are our problems as passing? Some are and with guidance and help from God they disappear. Others are more severe but still need the help of God.

When I pray I find it difficult to stay focused as my mind wanders. But by looking at the skies it helps me to stay ‘grounded.’ Grounded in the presence of my God.

Lonely

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I read that in a certain nation it has been known for people to commit crimes so that they can have the companionship of inmates in a prison cell. That sounds a bit extreme to me, but have things really got that bad? Jesus knew how important it was to have friends and a support team. If Jesus needed that, surely so do we. There is the saying that to have a friend, we need to be a friend. That could be a ‘double whammy’ as we wouldn’t be so lonely and befriended would also have fellowship.

Of course isolated or sick people can’t do much remedy the situation but in my own life I make connections when I am fit so that when ill-health overtakes me, there are some friends already in place. The Bible is full of examples of friendship. Take David with his Jonathan, Elijah with Elisha, Paul with Timothy. Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.’ Mankind was made for relationships.

Thank You

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In the hurry and bustle of life its easy to forget to thank people. Do we remember to say thank you to the person who lets us through a door first, the girl at the checkout or the person who picks up something which we’ve dropped? A thank you goes a long way to improve a person’s day, especially if accompanied with a smile.

It seems it’s not the done thing now to thank someone who has given you a present. When I don’t even get an acknowledgement from a nephew or niece for presents they’ve received. I wonder if their thank you has got lost in the post, or if I should stop giving. I’m old enough to remember when it was different and sad enough to wish it was otherwise.

Does my own thanklessness stretch to even forgetting to thank God?. He has given us more than we can adequately give thanks for. As Isaac Watts said

‘Were the whole world of nature mine, that were a present far too small

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.’

The Garden of Eden

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In Genesis 2:15 I like the idea that Adam had to work in the garden. This garden is described as having all kinds of trees growing there; trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. God knew the importance of trees on the earth and the dangers of deforestation.

I love working in my garden though when I’m complemented on the colourful display, I say ‘God and I do it together, but God does the clever bit.’ I enjoy the idea of working in tandem with God. Much as I need Him, He also need me. We all know that neglected gardens are soon overrun with weeds. Let the weeds stay in the fields and byways. When Eve came along I expect she was involved in the gardening as well. A team of two work better together.

I live in a part of the country which has a river running through it called the River Eden; a gift for flower shops and restaurants which name their businesses The Garden of Eden. Although it is as muddy and probably polluted as any other river, it still feels special Dare I name my very small garden, the Garden of Eden. Probably not as it doesn’t even contain a tree.

We are Heavenly Creatures

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‘We are not earthly creatures on a heavenly journey; we are heavenly creatures on an earthly journey.’ This is not my quote but from a wise person, and one which caused me to stop and think. There are times when we feel very much like earthly creatures, struggling in an alien land and impatient to be in heaven.

This earth feels alien precisely because we are in fact heavenly creatures. Our is an up-side-down faith. Day by day we learn more of our God and His will for us. At the present time it is an earthly journey. As it has been said ‘We are just passing through, heaven is our home.’ Because heaven is our home we therefore are heavenly creatures.

One More Found

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We probably all have friends and family who once faithfully followed Jesus but lately seem to have fallen away. Often our task is to pray for their return. In many instances we will not be able to speak to them or contact them, our task is to pray. I refrain from using the word ‘just’. Our prayers on earth have so much power in heaven. Luke 15 tells of the angels in heaven rejoicing when these people return to the fold.

I believe this parable points to the ‘found’ who have become ‘ lost’. as well as those who have never been ‘found’. I also believe that once someone is truly saved they cannot be lost for ever, but I know there are different opinions about this. Along with the angels we also can rejoice at these transformations, whether our prayers have been involved or not. How uplifting it is to hear of people praying for many years and their prayers finally being answered. Like all of us, I have a number of people on my list.

Worry

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Why do we humans worry about the problems which should be handed over to God? Our God is all-seeing and all-knowing, He knows the end from the beginning. He knows and understands every facet of a problem. The phrase ‘why worry when you can pray?’ I often turn into ‘Why pray when you can worry.’ Pray is the answer to our problems.

Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians ‘I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13 We can achieve so much more with God at our side, as we walk alongside Him. To let go is difficult for us. But we need to remember how fallible we are. At the moment i have a few problems which I tend to worry about in the night. With a real effort I try to turn my worries into prayer.

‘O what peace we often forfeit ….. all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.’ From ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus.’ Joseph Scrivener