Carol Purves

Much of life is hard; we are walking on slippery places. We can’t cope with life on our own and we are often in danger of falling. We need someone reliable to hang on to. The psalmist tells us, ‘My foot is slipping….. Oh Lord support me.’

I have recently had a spell of giddiness. Without the reluctant use of a stick I would have fallen which is the last thing any of us want to do. Recovery from a fall takes time. Recovery from a spiritual fall is also difficult.. When God stops us from falling He becomes our reliable Rock. Again the psalmist tells us ‘ The Lord has become my Fortress and my God my Rock in whom I take refugee.’.

So often when we turn to the Bible we find comfort and strength for the day ahead. But it is not only a book of guidance and light. God’s word is often ‘sharper than any double-edged sword, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.’ Some Bible passages are uncomfortable to us today. Mass destruction and sex scandals are not welcome reading.

Our church is tackling some of these issues in a series of sermons. I await the next few sermons with interest. Reading of the Bible requires one hand on the Bible and the other in the hand of God.

This phrase is something I can struggle with. Of course, I want God’s will to be done and not mine. God is all-mighty and all-wise. I make many mistakes running my own small life. But how do I pray? It’s easy to find myself giving God instructions. ‘Please ease the financial burdens of some particular person.’. ‘Please God heal my friend’s sick daughter.’ It seems right to pray against bad things, but God knows what is best. Am I telling God what He already knows? Am I telling Him ho9w to act? He knows the financial situation of my friend; He knows another friend has a sick daughter.

If I say at the end of my prayers ‘Your will be done.’ I must really mean it and add ‘your will not mine,’ though God’s answer may completely the opposite of what I wish. I’m not trying to change God’s mind when I pray. As I’ve said ‘His will is best.’

There are a number of occasions in the Bible where a servant of God presents himself God and announces ”Here I am.’ When Abraham says this in Genesis 22:1 he has no idea what God is going to ask him to do. ‘Take your son and sacrifice him!’ Although there can be no greater shock, Abraham obeys. God called Jacob in a dream Genesis 46:2 On replying ‘Here I am’ he is told to go to Egypt and meet his long lost son, Joseph.

When Moses replied to God, ‘Here I am’, God sent him to lead a nation for nearly forty years. Samuel’s reply ‘Here I am.’ to God led him to confront Eli’s sin and eventually become the next prophet. Isaiah says the same thing, offers himself and God was able to use him mightily.

When God calls us and we reply ‘Here I am,’ we might not have to lead a nation or become a prophet but great adventures will be ahead.

Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege of taking communion with a group of friends. We were able to remember the sacrifice in Jesus giving His life for the redemption of our sins. We remembered with gratitude and thanks. There is no greater sacrifice and no thanks on our part that can ever be too much.

On the morning of that same day I visited my friend who was dying. I looked at her lying almost unconscious in her hospital bed with her daughter sitting beside her and I realised she would never again be taking communion in our group as she had so often in the past.

Then another thought struck me. In no time at all she would be having communion in heaven. I’m not sure how they would celebrate up there, but she will be in the presence of her beloved Saviour. How wonderful for her. By the time you read this blog she may well be there. The time will come when we can join her. Oh blessed day!

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ Jeremiah 31:3 . When I had one of my doubts about being good enough for God, this verse came to mind. Why do I struggle so to please God? Why do I not love him and rest in His love to me? I don’t need to strive for God’s love like I might for an earthly father. Why do I worry and fret and tie myself into knots?

I am told He has loved us with an everlasting love for us. He has drawn us with loving devotion. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more. There is nothing we can do which will make him love us less. We can rest, He is faithful and constant; as He tells us ‘Abide in My love.’

This is a fairly small charity which I support. They care for orphans, handicapped children and families in need in Eastern Europe including Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Russia. It was so helpful to be able to Zoom with the charity recently to hear how they are faring in extremely dangerous and difficult situations.

There were stories of hope, survival, bombings, dangers and witness to God’s mercies. We feel so helpless in face of so much hardship; to be able to pray with others was a blessings. We know God hears our prayers and it is good to pray with more knowledge. Again today I pray for those who are suffering, that God will choose to stop death and destruction. It is in His name we pray.

I sit in the garden with my weed removal up-to-date. More dandelions will appear tomorrow but today I rest. A variety of birds are collecting their supper from my newly-mown lawns Others are chattering in the nearby leaf-sprouting trees. Yes, lawns in the plural, I have four but they are small.

School has finished and young voices shout ‘Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.’ Do the repeated words mean they are still insecure at missing their friends? They need to be sure they will see them again tomorrow. I sit and revel in the moment. Once again I thank God that He has blessed me with a garden. It kept me going and gave me hope during lockdown.