Spirit & Life

God’s call to humanity has been consistent since the genesis of time. Live your life through love of God and love of neighbour, understanding that we are a diverse bunch, each offering gifts that are unique, and part of the whole of God’s realm.

Jesus offered abundant food, feeding a crowd who hungered for hope and new ways of living. Through blessing their bread and fish, and blessing the space between them, a group of strangers, unknown to each other, now eat together as a family of God.

The moment a drop of water falls onto a cloth, the moisture disperses, gently spreading across the fabric, gradually soaking the whole piece.

Paul must have lifted the spirits of the Church of Ephesus with this letter! His words were rich in meaning. All are included as God’s children in God’s realm – a space of belonging for all men, women and children of all cultures and ages.

Jesus calls us to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to all. Our actions are to be welcoming, with generous hospitality, as we serve with humble hearts, healing hands, with justice and equity. In ancient times, when stepping on another’s land, generous hospitality treated the visitor as a cherished friend or as one of the family.

What a wonderful reminder! While society calls us to be wealthy, hard-working, task focused, future planners, super fit and resilient even when we feel completely spent, here, we are called to be humble, gentle, patience, kindly, and tolerant.

David responded to God’s call by being himself. Humble in his role as shepherd, he delivered the supplies and visited his brothers. He listened, learnt from both sides, considered his ability and experience, and responded.

Farming is a purposeful activity. A combination of watching and waiting, listening and learning, living with creation and responding in hope.

I often hear people bemoan that the Church is dying. Is it? Or is it looking differently to how it was? And is that okay? Jesus significantly reminds the leaders that those who do as God wants, may be ‘doing, saying and being’ God’s people with a different faith-filled perspective from what has gone before

I was at a Retreat, in a silent prayer time, sitting under a shady tree. I was praying about a sense of call to a particular ministry. I did pray impatiently, “Lord, it would be really good, though, if you gave me some clear sign you are really calling me!”