Friday morning, wordsurfers-time. What shall I write?
I want to inspire others yet my thoughts feel nothing special today. Maybe I’m ‘running on empty’.
So that’s where I’ll begin.
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5 v 3)
Eugene Peterson is an American-born pastor, scholar, poet and author of the award-winning ‘The Message’, a translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Listen to his take on Jesus’ words:
‘When Jesus saw His ministry was drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught His climbing companions. This is what He said:
‘You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule…
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.’ ‘ (The Message 2002 Navpress)
There we are. Things may be better than they seem. When we’ve got as far as we can go and our strength is failing. When we feel all out of resources and ideas. When we’ve had our fill of all this world has sold us and are still coming up hungry. Blessing is not far away.
If we’re prepared to recognize our limitations and accept the helping hand He offers. The gracious, saving hand we need.
It may need a little rearranging on our part, a little spiritual discipline. Like less time consumed liking the comparative trivia on social media and more invested in purposeful quiet and stillness. Reading the words of Jesus. Prayerfully listening for Him to impress in our hearts a word of reassurance, or correction, or instruction.
Then, lo and behold, we’re ready to climb further! Refreshed, revived, equipped for greater heights.
Bring on that next crag!
‘Hungry, I come to you
For I know you satisfy.
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry.
So I wait for you…
(Joy Williams)
I want to inspire others yet my thoughts feel nothing special today. Maybe I’m ‘running on empty’.
So that’s where I’ll begin.
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5 v 3)
Eugene Peterson is an American-born pastor, scholar, poet and author of the award-winning ‘The Message’, a translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Listen to his take on Jesus’ words:
‘When Jesus saw His ministry was drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught His climbing companions. This is what He said:
‘You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule…
You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.’ ‘ (The Message 2002 Navpress)
There we are. Things may be better than they seem. When we’ve got as far as we can go and our strength is failing. When we feel all out of resources and ideas. When we’ve had our fill of all this world has sold us and are still coming up hungry. Blessing is not far away.
If we’re prepared to recognize our limitations and accept the helping hand He offers. The gracious, saving hand we need.
It may need a little rearranging on our part, a little spiritual discipline. Like less time consumed liking the comparative trivia on social media and more invested in purposeful quiet and stillness. Reading the words of Jesus. Prayerfully listening for Him to impress in our hearts a word of reassurance, or correction, or instruction.
Then, lo and behold, we’re ready to climb further! Refreshed, revived, equipped for greater heights.
Bring on that next crag!
‘Hungry, I come to you
For I know you satisfy.
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry.
So I wait for you…
(Joy Williams)
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