I am the head, not the tail

 

It is only 10 am and already I’ve been told twice that I ‘am the head, not the tail’. (Deut 28:13). As I continue through Lent pursuing a negativity fast, and a positivity (in the Lord) feast, I am encouraged through this verse to really claim that the Lord is in control in our world and our lives today, and that as I remain in Him, I am the head, not the tail. The tail is not wagging the dog, despite all that appears to the contrary.

So in confidence and faith I step out into this new day, eyes on Christ, who has already won the victory. This is his world, which he has redeemed by his blood. We are his people, whom he has redeemed by his blood.

Jesus is Lord. Creation’s voice proclaims it. Hallelujah!

A Knock at the Door?

 

The bread-maker stopped churning. The lights flickered and died.

Another power cut.

A minute later, the lights flashed on again, and the doorbell rang a few times. Insistently, as if an impatient visitor waited outside. What a contrast to the way Jesus comes to a person’s heart.

‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’

Yesterday, at the end of a quiet day of prayer and fasting with a group of fellow believers, we shared communion. It happened that the small table holding the elements was right in front of me, reminding me of a memorable talk at a Cherish conference a few years ago. It was a talk on the 23 Psalm, and the speaker acted out the verses: ‘you set a table before me in the presence of my enemies’. The speaker imagined Jesus sitting with him, on the other side of the table, and spoke of how one’s attention would be focused on him, rather than the enemies circling round about.

Yesterday, after many contemplative hours, I was focused. The distractions which so often whisper and rage were ignored.

I came away filled, refreshed. Thank you, Jesus.

 

Nourishing Food

 

The heavy woodpecker clung to the netting holding the fat balls, pecking hungrily. The netting swayed, pulled down by his weight. Usually, the smaller song birds sweep in, grab on, peck a couple of times and move along, but the woodpecker was obviously enjoying his breakfast, reluctant to let go and share.

In this digital age, we can graze on such a variety of things that feed – or starve or even poison – our minds and our spirits. We can sweep into Facebook or another platform and read a few things the algorithm thinks we’ll enjoy, then sweep out again. More like the woodpecker, though, yesterday I hung on to God’s word for a few hours as I worked on some Bible reading notes, and went to bed well-fed and watered. I slept more than usual, and woke praising the Lord.

Shrove Tuesday today, so I wondered what I should do for Lent this year and in a flash I knew. A negativity fast. With all that’s going on in our world these days, this is going to be a challenge for sure! But I’m excited to see how God can lead me through. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this, but I am setting off with a positive attitude that it could be the last time, with God’s help. I pray that he will recalibrate me to the default settings of Jesus, who also lived in testing times!

Enjoy a pancake today!

Cautious or Bold?

 

Look down, and you see the sheen of slippery road surface. Look up, and you see the winter’s sun beaming out of the blue, warming that slick road, slowly, slowly.

So many things in this world are slippery traps. I can walk through the world carefully, the warmth of the Saviour in me bringing a gradual thaw, a welcome healing, a revelation to one walking in darkness and fear. Or I can step boldly and with purpose, trusting the Saviour to keep my steps sure and my path straight.

Either way, he is with me today. And with you. May I be guided into the way which is right for me, today.

Hope does not disappoint

 

The sky is a grey covering, fitting snugly like plastic wrap on a plate. A light wind sometimes gusts into life, then dies back, brushing the bare branches and rustling feathers on the birds which jostle for position at the bird feeders. A light rain drizzles down, sometimes freezing into flurries of sleet, and the ground is slick, demanding a cautious footstep.

February.

Looking at Ezekiel’s vision (47:7-9, 12) this morning and I’m very grateful that the Lord’s promise is that he will renew and restore his creation. The water flows from the sanctuary, bringing life and healing and nutrition. I do my best to reduce my impact on nature, and then I trust the Lord to make all things new.

Responsibility and hope. I carry these into my day and feel encouraged. Whatever the world looks like, God sees the big picture; he is not surprised; he is love and he is able to restore the years the locust has eaten.

Full of praise and gratitude.