Spirit & Life

Letting go and forgiving from the heart seems one of the hardest human acts. The emotional pain often takes longer to heal than the physical pain. Its ‘unseen’ nature makes it difficult to identify, even by the sufferer, let alone for those who are not experiencing it.

When listening to music, a discordant note, out of tune or out of place, leaves an uneasy ripple in the continuing tune.

Throughout history, we see the strength and beauty of courageous, genuine unconditional love, changing the perspective of vengeful, reactive and cruel societies and diminishing injustice and evil ways, through renewing them to equitable, just and safe communities.

“Transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Such a great statement of how our faith inspires and ignites us to innovative and inspiring change! Revitalisation through the Pentecost Spirit; renewal of our thinking and perceptions through the Way of Jesus; and reconsidering our world view through God’s love, all draw us into active participation in God’s realm.

The mother is unwelcomed – a Gentile who has a child with a serious illness, which has likely brought shame to the family.

What wonderful words of comfort! Peter responded by doing what seemed irrational, but had his eyes fixed on Jesus.

As a parent of little children, when fatigue was so great, sometimes a simple escape to the laundry to fold washing was luxury! It was not lack of love or commitment, but the realization that a simple step to the side enabled a ‘quiet time’ that offered a great deal.

Daily tasks and normal activities hold wonderful treasures we overlook. Too often we are focused on fatigue, responsibility, repetition, goals, plans and outcomes.

There are many times in our life, where we hear things ‘as if for the first time’. Jesus speaks not only to new believers, but also to those who have heard the truth of God before.

Let’s not miss the joy! Nor miss being comforted by the certainty!
Jesus highlights the very human attitudes that can so easily develop when we allow ‘religion’ to override ‘faith’. Nor lose sight of our being and belonging in the family God.