The Wonder of the Cross – Day 20 – He Made A Way in a Manger
It does not matter where we, or those close to us, have met the generous love of our Beloved, it only matters that with us He may find a place where he can ‘Lay down His sweet head…..’
It does not matter where we, or those close to us, have met the generous love of our Beloved, it only matters that with us He may find a place where he can ‘Lay down His sweet head…..’
Travelling towards Easter, and Lent can get a bit messy so we may want it to be done with. In reality the end of Lent is not so much about playing a Finale but singing an Overture.
Yes, I like the idea of a life of riding peacefully at anchor
Yes, I look forward to, like the weaned child of Psalm 131, having a soul at peace.
No, I’m not at all sure I want our Beloved to be in complete control of my life!
Before the service, speak to God;
During the service, allow God to speak to you;
After the service, speak to one another…
Love, thou didst enter very softly in
To hold this heart of mine.
No sound, no stir, no sign!
How couldst thou cross my threshold all unseen?
Can we dare let the ‘Breath of God’ breathe on us?
Mountaintop or dark valley, bright summer day or deepest night, there is no-one else to go to, no-one else to guide us, no-one else to feed us, no-one else to hold us.
Just as Jesus is proclaimed to be the light to the nations, so we are called to be his light bearers.
Just as Jesus came into the world to set us free from our petty divisions and hatreds, so we are called to be the standard bearers of peace for the world around us.
The lesson the disciples missed is that eternal life is not only about following Jesus (even the Rich Young Ruler wants to do that) but also about leaving things behind.
The Gospel is not about receiving – what’s in it for me?
But about leaving the past in dust and ashes – which is a reward in itself.
It does not matter to where we have wandered – God seeks us out.
It does not matter how much we have failed – God smiles on us.
It does not matter how much we feel unworthy – God is well pleased with us.
It does not matter who we are, God calls us by name today and says, ‘Come and see.’