Trust

Trust.

Noah did everything God said. He built the ark and filled it as instructed. Once inside, God closed the door so nobody else could get in.

Pestilence sweeps across the world, heedless of borders. Borders which are being closed, one after another, leaving refugees without help or hope on the other side. Trapped, with no way in or out.

Across many nations, we have been instructed to self-isolate, so we have gathered our loved ones inside our homes, as instructed by government. Some have pulled up their drawbridges, refusing entry to all those caught outside as the rains come down and the waters rise. Focused on maintaining physical health at all costs, mental and spiritual health are imperilled. We are social beings. We were made to be community, and that means we sometimes take risks to bring others into safety.

Common sense designed the policy. It’s a good one. But God has not closed the door to our homes as he did to the ark. When there are people in need who have no safe haven, he calls us to reach out a hand and bring them in. It is so encouraging during these days to see and read of so many examples of people doing just that.

In these days of turmoil and uncertainty, fear is fed as we hole up and just look after ourselves. Jesus calls us to trust him. To walk on the waters which may roil and rage, our focus on him. To minister to those out in the storm, and to bring them in to the peace which is Jesus.

May we all stay safe as we self-isolate, but also be alert and responsive to the cries for help that reach our ears. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid, Jesus says. Why? Because he has overcome the world.

Even the Weeds Flower

Someone kindly noted on Saturday that despite the preponderance of weeds in my flower beds, there are pockets of vibrant colour. 

Yes, I thought later, but actually, even the weeds flower. 

The definition of a weed is a flower growing where you don’t want it. I think some weeds, though, are plants which are pernicious no matter where they grow. I was going to write that sins are like weeds of the latter variety, which they are, but I think there are other things we might not think of as sins which are just as pernicious because they undermine the beauty of our faith.

Fear and anxiety are in that category. God tells us hundreds of times in the Bible (366 times to be precise) not to be afraid. It seems to be our default response in many situations and the problem with being afraid is that it undermines our faith in the God of the impossible. Focusing on the problem instead of on the answer magnifies the problem and shrinks the faith we have in the Answer.

I’m still mulling over my experience at the Great Barrier Reef, and this morning I’ve been thinking about how completely God answered my prayer on the boat trip out to the reef, my prayer that I would not just manage to snorkel ok but that I would actually love the experience and the opportunity to enjoy one of his breathtaking beauty spots. 

My circumstances are different but I am changing tack on my prayers to reflect that experience. I am now praying that God will enable me to face whatever is coming with regards to a family situation not just with stoic determination and stiff resolve but with a divine perspective, so that I can appreciate the full vista of what is happening in relation to life itself and rejoice to see God’s hand in everything, big and small.

With God’s help I am going to wheak out that pernicious weed of fear and replace it with a beautiful dollop of faith, gratefully received from my gracious Master.

Fear

What an insidious thing fear is.

Just back from a walk over to El Dorado Park. My friend, who grew up across from the park, is selling her mom’s house now and has discovered that because of its location it is less desirable.

Less desirable? 

Yes, because of fears of who may be lurking in the park, and may stray to your back door and jimmy it open. 

Personally, I know if I were choosing between living across the street from the duck pond in the park, and living a block from the busiest freeway in California, the duck pond location would certainly win.

As I walked round the duck pond I listened to them laugh. One seemed to have a sore throat and kind of a more guttural laugh than the others. I had to smile. Who wouldn’t want to live near that, and watch the wee kids focused on getting those ducks off the ground and into the water or the air?

God wants us to trust him. Jesus tells us not to be afraid. 

Travelling reveals the paranoia and fear of our society. Security is tight everywhere. Now I don’t want to be so lax that bad things happen, but I think there is a limit. When I read yesterday that a lady in her 80s claimed she was strip searched in Pittsburgh because she didn’t want to go through the screening machine in case it triggered or stopped her pacemaker on her heart (that’s another fear), I thought it has really gone too far. 

Scripture says that all the horses and chariots and war machines we have aren’t worth a bean if God isn’t on our side. If we are trusting in him rather than in our own strength, he will look after us.

I know it sounds naive. But I’d rather live that way, if I can, than live controlled by fear.

I want to keep hearing those ducks laugh.