Month: November 2021

Never alone

Remember the old 1950s song, “I’m just a lonely boy, lonely and blue.” It was way before my time, but the tune is as familiar to me as many from my own childhood. Is that how we all feel right now?

I have always been on the outside of the group. When I was young I was on the outside because I am a Christian. When I’m with a group of Christian friends I’m the outsider, because the path I take is not conventional. When I’m around the Moms from school, I’m an outsider as I don’t have the same values and status. I always seemed out of step with the people around me.

Sometimes I feel like I’m on a raft adrift on my own. No one understands and no one cares. But both of those assumptions are wrong.

First, I suspect most people understand. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels like the outsider. I suspect most people feel this way a lot of the time. That is why family and friend groups are so important, we all crave belonging.

Secondly, I am not alone. Jesus left the 99 to search for the lost sheep. He not only came to earth to save me, He is going ahead of me to prepare a place for me.

I am not alone.

And neither are you.

John 14: 1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Letting God lead

I was listening to a Scottish preacher that I enjoy, and he started his sermon with what he called an “old Anglican prayer.” I had never heard it before. I am staggered by its profound simplicity.

It went, “Father, what we know not, teach us. What we have not, give us. What we are not, make us. For your Son’s sake. Amen.”

What I like most about these poignant thoughts is that they have the correct order. Much of the praying I do is God, if it’s your will, help me do this, or that. I am specifying what I think needs to be done. In fairness, I am open to His guidance, but I am the one doing the thinking.

This little prayer puts the ball in God’s court. It recognizes that he understands the bigger picture and will have a view that I don’t have. By petitioning him in this manner I allow him to guide my life. He is in charge of what I need to learn, or have or be. Not me. My vision for the future is subservient to His.

This is one of life’s hardest lessons. For me this is a daily struggle. I see what others around me are doing, I see the successes they have, the direction, the sureness and then I look at my own life (which is a complete mess). I have no idea what to do next, but I feel the weight of action. I have no idea how to fix my problems, but I feel the guilt of inactivity. I have no idea how to relate to the world but I feel the judgment of all around me.

This prayer helps me, in a very practical way, hand it all to God.

Oh, how I love Jesus

What does it mean to be a Christian?

At one point in my life I would have listed my denominational affiliation and my doctrinal beliefs, when asked this question. It was as though I sought an identity in a larger group. Of course, I never fully agreed with the group on everything – this is impossible. But, I found it easier to describe my walk with Christ in the framework of a recognizable structure and language.

That has changed. A lot. It has been hard to put my finger on how and why that changed, it evolved over a long period of time.

I was watching a documentary about India the other day. The host was interviewing a couple. He introduced the wife to the audience as a Hindu who has since become a Christian, who is married to a Muslim. He asked her why she became a Christian. She responded, “Because I love Jesus.”

Here it is. This! I turned my back on the definitions of denominational language and doctrinal differences because I want the world to see me as someone who loves Jesus.

Instead of looking at other Christians and people around me as my models for behaviour, I need to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. He becomes my pattern, not a religious order. Do these groups have something to offer – YES. And do I love many people who still attend such groups – YES! But for me there is freedom in focusing on Jesus alone.

He can be there when I interact with my neighbours. He can be there when I chat to the homeless man I meet when I’m walking my dog. He can be there when I support friends who are being ostracized by society. He can be there when I teach and parent my kids. He can be there in those private moments with my husband. He is there always. I don’t have to check to see what my Church’s stance is on anything. I report only to Him. I keep my eyes on Him and worry about only being pleasing to Him.

1 John 4: 19 We love because he first loved us.