{"id":25332,"date":"2021-07-20T11:30:37","date_gmt":"2021-07-20T16:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/?p=25332"},"modified":"2021-07-21T06:38:18","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T11:38:18","slug":"in-times-like-thesewe-have-a-saviour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/in-times-like-thesewe-have-a-saviour\/","title":{"rendered":"In Times like these\u2026We have a Saviour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you [NKJV] Isaiah 26:3
Let your love, God, shape my life [MSG] Psalm 119: 41<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

REFLECTION<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In these differently difficult<\/em> times, the ability to focus on anything for too long, even that germane to the preservation of life and livelihood, seems almost impossible. Somehow, even with lofty intentions, we seem, more often than not, to be caught in a maelstrom of doing<\/em>, to the detriment of our being<\/em>\u2026with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the start of the year, I have been [prayerfully] accompanying a number of persons, as they journey through the kind of ill health that has term limits. One of the things I have found during this time, which has had a profound impact on my own ability to cope and to help others do the same, is availing myself of opportunities to be still\u2026in God\u2019s presence; to allow God to set the pace and direct my times of meditation\u2026to never to be in a rush, lest in moving too quickly, I miss a word or image that is of life-abundant value.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the scripture passages above, the Prophet and the Psalmist highlight, by implication, the essential nature of the discipline of stillness, to the blessing of living abundantly amidst life\u2019s vicissitudes. The peace, of which Isaiah speaks, is not simply absence of conflict or pain. On the contrary, it is being able, within the conflict and\/or the pain [whatever the genesis or outworking<\/em>], to experience and hold fast, the loving presence of God, wrapped in omnipotence. In other words, we cannot\u2026we will not be able to face and deal with life\u2019s challenges, apart from daily i.e. constantly consistent reliance upon God, whose love for us, as indicated by the Psalmist, is able to shape and by extension, give meaning to our lives\u2026even and especially in difficult times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the friends with whom I am journeying wrote\u2026 \u201cDespite what is undeniably the most difficult period of my life, I have had only sparing moments for worry or fret. I have been too preoccupied and focused on the expressions of love of family, friends and colleagues. This is truly amazing and I give thanks to Him that is love.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/em>When the songwriter penned the words\u2026 \u2018In times like these we need a Saviour; in times like these we need an anchor\u2026\u2019 <\/em>he was writing perhaps, from his own experience, not realising the timeless nature of his affirmation. That is why, continuing with the song, we are encouraged\u2026 \u2018Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the solid rock\u2026Jesus!\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This journey that is life, with all its twists, turns, hills and valleys, is made more tolerable, in fact, it is made as my sister-friend Mary Graham would say\u2026 \u201cMore wonder-filled\u201d, <\/em>when we open in full surrender, to God\u2019s love, which is able, like my friend is finding, to see us through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe my new favourite spiritual writer sums it up best in saying\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fact that I am deeply loved by God is increasingly the core of my identity, what I know about myself with most confidence. Such a conviction is I am convinced, the foundation of any significant Christian spiritual growth. <\/em>[David Benner in: Surrender to Love<\/strong>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With such surrender, no matter the difficulty of the times, we can\u2026we will know God\u2019s perfect shalom, <\/em>as we allow our lives to be shaped by His love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRACTICAL ACTION<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Challenge yourself in the coming days, to make a habit of sitting in God\u2019s presence for at least ten [10] minutes each day. Have nothing to say, for the truth is, there is no information<\/em> you can give to omniscient God. Instead, quietly listen and in listening, hear the gentle approach of omnipotent God and God\u2019s even gentler whisper\u2026 \u201cMy child\u2026I AM with you!\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRAYER<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gracious God, someone once jokingly remarked\u2026 \u201cThe hurrieder I go, the behinder I get.\u201d<\/em> How true a statement that is Lord; so hurried am I at times, I cannot sense let alone embrace your calming presence, and the more I do, the more I realise my insufficiency. God, I pause now to acknowledge your presence, your power, and possibilities that are mine in you. Even now Lord I wait, in anticipation of your coming, and by the enabling of your Holy Spirit, to feel\u2026to know your nearness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gracious God, I surrender to your love and the peace which you offer\u2026
Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Canon Georgia ‘Grace’ Jervis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you [NKJV] Isaiah 26:3Let your love, God, shape my life [MSG] Psalm 119: 41 REFLECTION In these differently difficult times, the ability to focus on anything for too long, even that germane to the preservation of life and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":610,"featured_media":25333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-moment","ctfw-has-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25332"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25332\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25337,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25332\/revisions\/25337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.anglicandioceseja.org\/copy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}