<span style="font-size: 1rem;">While I was training to be a reader we were not supposed to use reference books over a certain age! Which at the time put most of my library way off limits for assignment purposes. I don’t think anyone had told Scripture Union this though, as 2 books which we have had on our shelves for years have been used in the references for this passage! The one is David Watson‘s Discipleship. This is a wonderful book which talks about living a Christian life and maturing in being a follower of Jesus. It is a book, as it says right up front, about becoming and growing as a disciple.</span>The quote they use which leaps out to me again and again is ‘Christianity which does not begin with the individual, does not begin; but Christianity which ends with the individual, ends.Witty little saying! But if we unpack it a bit it’s very profound.Christianity isn’t a hobby, a pastime, merely a comfort when we are in distress (although of course it is a huge comfort in distress). Christianity is what it is because of Jesus Christ and what he did for humankind on the cross. This is what we are part of. This is why we bother with church and worship and fellowship and all the other things which come out of having faith. But we are not called to stand on the side lines and cheer on this ‘good idea’. We are called to be involved. We are called to make a personal response to what Jesus did on the cross. We are called to say a loud and hearty ‘me too’ to God. We have joined a life long journey with Jesus, accompanied by our fellow Christians, as we grow in knowledge and confidence of our faith, as we grow in love and commitment for God and humanity. We have not said ‘yes’ to a private idea, or an interesting theory. We have said ‘yes’ to something far bigger than ourselves, something dynamic, which will grow and impact everyone with whom we come into contact. It will transform our lives, and their lives too, if we let it. But we can’t start unless we truly buy-in to this being a personal faith, not just something we observe from afar. ‘…..Christianity which does not begin with the individual, does not begin;….’And here’s the next big thing about Christianity….it’s isn’t just for me and you. It is the gift that only works when we give it away! It’s the gift which keeps on giving as we share it far and wide. No other person can tell any of us how we should do this ‘giving’ away of our faith. God will provide that answer when we ask him. But there will be a way, taylor-made to each of us, for us to share the gift of faith we have received. ‘…Christianity which ends with the individual, ends.’Another quote used by Scripture Union for this passage is from a favourite hymn of Fanny Crosby: ‘Blessed Assurance’Blessed assurance Jesus is mineO what a foretaste of glory divineHeir of salvation, purchase of GodBorn of his spirit washed in his blood This is my story, this is my songPraising my Saviour all the day longThis is my story, this is my songPraising my Saviour all the day long Perfect submission, perfect delightVisions of rapture now burst on my sightAngels descending bring from aboveEchoes of mercy, whispers of loveI can’t help feeling a surge of excitement when I sing this hymn. And then I feel, well , if this is how the knowledge of having salvation through Jesus makes me feel, how can I possibly not make sure other people know it too?So, if we only want to stand on the side lines and watch, we have not really begun our Christian life, our discipleship. And if we want to try and put our faith in a compartment which is just for us, if we don’t want to let it overflow into our family life, our community life, our work life, well, it’s very likely to shrivel up and disappear, rather like any other unused gift.
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Have a look at the Wrenbury School website. There’s a posting with a rainbow and a link to a you-tube clip. It is a montage put together by parents with the children putting together a message of thanks to all the staff, using their drawings and paintings. It might sound daft but I burst into tears, not just a little leak from the corner of my eye, but real sobbing. It sort of unblocked a lot of pent up ‘holding it togetherness’ I suppose. It was most definitely cathartic and really heart warming to see. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the children love their teachers. I know that the parents think we are doing a good job and appreciate everything we do for them and their children. And children and parents often say so. But somehow, that effort to put that message together and send it to school means so very much.</span>It made me think about one of the things we are missing at the moment. That is connection between each other which texts, emails, zoom, skype, WhatsApp, phone calls and goodness knows what else, can’t replace. That human connection, being close to people, whether we like hugs or not, there is so much more to interaction with each other than just the words. We all know our friends and loved ones care and miss us ....we’re missing the opportunity to show it personally, individually.We will get all this back eventually, even if life will look a bit different going forward.But then I thought about our connection with God. And I wondered if sometimes he feels like I did. He knows I love him, I tell him often enough! He knows I appreciate all the care I have from his goodness, again I tell him often enough. I tell him in the words of our worship, in the hymns and songs I sing, in my private prayers and prayers in church. But what about finding a way to tell him, show him my love outside of what he might expect from my usual routine - like those parents did with their lovely, unexpected message. Putting themselves out, making an extra effort?And I think that ‘putting myself out’, and ‘making an extra effort’ might hold the key. We do it in Lent and perhaps in Advent. We can do it by setting aside an extra slot of our time to focus on God. There are not a lot of opportunities being arranged for us in terms of courses and retreats organised by others at the moment but here are a few suggestions:Choose a verse or passage which means something special and during a walk think about it and what it tells us about God. Then reflect that thought back to God as thanksgiving and praise.Sit in the garden taking in the sounds of the birds and the breeze. Tell God what this means to us and thank him for his wonderful gifts of nature, and everything else he provides.Use an object to focus on, like a candle , and reflect on Jesus as the light of the world. Use a flower or a picture to guide other focus for reflection.Listen to a piece of music, or a favourite hymn and let it still our hearts to think about God. Let it help us form the words to tell God what he is worth to us, as we worship him.
One of my favorite poets is Andrew Rudd <span style="font-size: 1rem;">since he led one of my Ordination </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">training retreats. He is poet in residence at Manchester</span>Cathedral and he wrote a poem called 'Rules for Visiting a Cathedral' <span style="font-size: 1rem;">which I like. So I used it as inspiration for mine 'Rules for Visiting</span>an Outdoor Cathedral'Rules for Visiting an Outdoor CathedralPlease remember to leave your anxietiesAs you make your first foot step on the pathFeel the warm greetingThe sun’s got your back.</span>Listen to the birds sing:They’re pleased to share life with youDon’t be surprisedIf you seem to understand their voiceIt’s the joy of living.</span>Walk with rhythm,pace and purposeRemember many feet have touchedWhere yours do now</span>Silence your thoughtsAnd let your MakerFill your ears withthe language of his loveReceive this, soak it in</span>Let you eyes feed onLime and emerald greens,and cerulean blues,brown and chestnut ochresnature’s dazzling huesFill the pockets of yourhungry soul with spring’s abundance.</span>Taste the air – breathe it deeplyand receive again the glad invitationto the dance,n step with God beside.</span>Dot Woods May 2020(with acknowledgement to Andrew Rudd, whose poem <span style="font-size: 1rem;">‘Rules for Visiting a Cathedral’ 2018 inspired mine.)</span>
In these days of being allowed one form of exercise outside, it will be no surprise to anyone who knows me that I’ve stuck to walking. The weather’s been on our side even if it feels like nothing else has.A walk is the subject of this sunday’s bible reading too. It happens after Jesus has been crucified, and the disciples are grieving and confused. They feel alone and unsure what to do next. What happens on their walk changes their outlook.Luke’s Gospel chapter 24: verses 13-35“Two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem and talking with each other about these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them...”If you want to know what happens next, google the passage or grab a bible and find out.... !I’’ve posted a painting and some photos of my Emmaus walks below.Frederich Nietzche said “All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking”If you can name any of the roads I’ve walked, you’re welcome to comment on the post and tell me ..
