Living Stones - 3

I live in Cornwall, England, where many of the roads, especially the old narrow lanes, are bordered with Cornish hedges. These are not really 'hedges', but double-skinned walls made of Cornish slate and soil. They are built in a centuries-old way by tradesmen who keep this traditional craft alive.

The master craftsman has a large pile of stones of varying size and shape to hand. He picks up a stone, inspects it and with an experienced eye, chooses the best place on the line to lay it. He is so skilled, he knows just the right location where it will fit snugly and form an integral part of the structure. Once the two outside skins of the wall are completed to height, the space between is filled with soil and topped off with a layer of turf.

Because no cement is used, it's a kind of living wall, as the individual stones are free to move ever-so-slightly against each other. This constant contact rubs off the sharp corners and rough edges and as the wall is weathered by the elements, the stone changes colour from nondescript grey into a lovely warm brown. Many varieties of wild flowers soon take root in the joints and provide a home for all kinds of wildlife. These hedges are a beautiful sight, to be enjoyed throughout the year, from primroses in early spring to berries in the late autumn.

Isn't this how it is for us? God knows where we will flourish and bear fruit and also chooses just the right people for us to relate to and grow. I have kicked against this in the past. There was a time when my wife and I felt things were getting too difficult where we lived. We thought we were in the wrong place and thought perhaps we should move to another town. After much seeking and prayer, we eventually realised that our real motive was to escape. We would have taken our problems with us.

One of the things that bothered me, was that God seemed to place me with people, especially loquacious Christians, who had so much to say for themselves and showed absolutely no interest in what I had to say. At least that was my perception. Even when we met in a prayer group, so and so would pray for ages, including everything under the sun and all the problems known to man. What was there left for me to pray? My reaction was often just to keep quiet, although I was far from 'quiet' inside.

This situation motivated me to listen. First, to listen to what my own heart was saying. And secondly, once I had resolved this with God, to feel for others and hear what they were really saying inside and speak up at the right time. In other words I was being changed and learning to listen, pray and speak, in that order. It's a divine combination, which I will get right one day.

I am now at peace where we are. That's not saying it's all strawberries and cream, but we are where God wants us to be - today!

"- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 2:5

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Resting in God

I wondered what to write today, but nothing came to me. I could always think of a good idea or important topic and try and write some thought-provoking article. But I'm not an intellectual or clever enough for that and I'm not into good ideas either. I could keep on trying for an hour or so, pushing in a muscular way, in an attempt to provide something presentable. But I know when that happens, I won't be resting in God and won't be at peace.

On the other hand, if I feel in tune with Father and there is something on my heart, the words almost fly off the computer keyboard. It may not be perfect, but it will be my offering and it will have life.

I find it's the same with speaking. I have tried preaching and spent hours preparing and perfecting my pearls of wisdom. Then, on the day when I read from my script, it seems to come out flat and lifeless. I look at the sea of blank faces and just wish that I was somewhere else! - an aside: imagine a minister saying to his congregation, that God had not given him or her anything to say, so suggested they should spend the next half hour in silence? That would be a brave person?

Alternatively, if I really have something to say and I know the timing is right before God, I only have to open my mouth and the words just come. Like my writing, it may not be polished or word perfect, but it will have life. And somewhere out there, there may be only one person who engages and identifies and receives the nub of what I have to say and that's what it's all about!

I am learning.

Jesus wasn't performance-driven and under pressure, like I used to be. He only did what He saw His Father doing. He was a Man of poise. If we are at rest in God, then what we do make take effort, but it will be effortless and efficient. We will be in the flow with Him and we will know it.

"God's promise of enjoying his rest still stands. So be careful that none of you fails to receive it." Hebrews 4:1 New International Version

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Restoration and Comfort

We live on the coast and love to spend time on the beach. No two days are the same as the seasons, weather and tides change. On some days the water is calm, still and clear, just inviting us in. Like on summer days, when it's warmer, whole families paddle and cavort in the crystal clear shallows. On the other hand, like this week, it's icy cold and restless, with angry waves crashing onto the shingle, leaving behind piles of debris and rotting seaweed. I have learned that on such days, for my own safety, I have to keep my distance.

There can be debris - unhelpful or ungodly attitudes and habits for example - in our lives, which, unattended to can build up and block the flow of God's love within us. We usually know it's there, but may pretend it's not or try to cover it over with activity or other diversions. The problem then, it can fester and spread, causing us to lose our peace and we become restless.

When we humble ourselves, take courage and face these things with Jesus, we find such forgiveness and cleansing that releases freedom and blessing. God's peace returns and we become calm and still inside. Others may even want to draw close and enjoy being with us.

"I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. -- I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him -- But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud." Isaiah 57:15-20 New International Version

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Real Contentment

I think there is no more delightful sight than seeing a contented baby snuggled in his/her mother's arms. Having drank to its heart's content, felt the warmth of its mother's love and seen the love and acceptance in its mother's eyes, it lies back with not a care in the world. The infant is at rest within itself, satisfied and secure.

This is a powerful picture and I now that I am neither too old or macho to learn from it. Rather than keep my mind one what is at hand I still have a tendency to let my thoughts roam on projects I have mind or work out what I may be doing the next day or week, even worry about future problems. All this mind clutter uses energy and has the potential to cause stress and anxiety and can get in the way of my relationship with Father.

When we have stilled ourselves and fed from God's Word and digested it inwardly. When we have offered all our fears and doubts and worries to Father. When we have soaked in His loving Presence. Only then, the cares of this world seem to fade and we experience a deep peace that only comes from God. We are content, knowing we can just be ourselves and walk with Father in simple trust, leaving tomorrow to God.

Some may say "Hey, get real man, I am not a baby and anyway I have a life to live!" No, but the principle remains. What is real is that God has made it possible for us to experience His deep peace, His gift to us. It's up to us to enter in. We long for it and need it; we know that deep inside. It remains for us to do something about it.

"But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." Psalm 131:2 New International Version

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