How do you
encounter God?
In the
bath? On a walk around your
village? In a row? In the beauty of creation or a thunderstorm
at night? During a jubilee celebration?
Firstly, can
I thank all those that supported so many community events across the villages
to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Although
some villages appeared quieter than others, and some streets were missing the
flags and the bunting, others were truly bedecked and the parties I visited
were certainly fun-packed, despite the weather.
I do hope that you had time to be Thankful for the Queen’s reign and
service to us all. Our Jubilee Church
services were not “standing room only”, but I was pleased to see some visitors
in our midst. Thank you for coming, if
you came.
Whilst
playing mini golf at the Madresfield jubilee party (I kid ye not!), it was a
delight to be approached by a gang of teenagers who shouted out: ‘Its Rev
Gary! We miss you and the church!’
These were children that left the school a few years ago as year 6’ers and now
attend The Chase or Dysons but saw me trying to hit a “hole in one” and wanted
to chat. It was lovely reminiscing about
our time at Madresfield School, in that instance: the Hose Pipe assembly, the
great AMEN. It reminded me that we are about to say farewell to another group
of children at the end of this month as they continue their life’s adventure at
High School. I wish them all luck. And
hope that chance Godly inspired encounters with them will happen , just like it
did over a game of mini golf at a social club.
Back to encountering
God. How does the Bible cover this?
For Moses, it
was in the burning bush or the pillar of cloud or fire. For Elijah it was in
the still small voice, a whisper. For the prophets it was often in a vision. To
Solomon the Lord appeared in a dream promising to grant what he requested:
wisdom. For Jacob, God appeared as a man with whom he wrestled all night long
at Peniel. More than sixty times God is encountered as an ‘angel of the Lord’. An angel of the Lord rescued Peter from gaol
removing his chains and opening the cell door (Acts 12).
Some people
encounter God through the beauty of creation, walking the hills or along the
river bank and becoming aware of God in the wonder of all that is around us.
Others encounter God in silence and contemplation or in the beauty of art or
music. There is no one correct way to encounter God. The important point is
that we earnestly seek to do just that according to the way in which he has
uniquely created and designed us.
Having said
all that, we cannot underestimate that the primary way in which we encounter
God is through reading, reflecting and meditating on his Word, the Bible. This
is the reason why I constantly urge us all to adopt the practise of regular
daily Bible reading and prayer. It is not about the amount we read, it is about
the encounter we have.
Quite often I
have found the amount of scripture that needs to be read in order to get
through the Bible in one year is too much to enable an encounter to take place.
Sometimes it is better to focus on one verse or a shorter passage. The
important point is not to become enslaved by a particular pattern or method but
to feel free to swap and change and try different models in order to discover
what works best for you.
I am pleased
to support a new home group that Julia will be leading for us across the benefice. Initially meeting in Colletts Green, there
will be a time to reflect on the Bible in a contemporary way. Additionally, and further to our Café Church
in January, discussions are near conclusion with the Bible Reading Fellowship
regarding three or four new and simple initiatives to deepen Bible and Faith awareness
for all ages (preschool to old age).
More anon – we need a summer break first! So, as we contemplate that – why not resolve
afresh to encounter God on a daily basis?
‘You will
seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:13).
You might do
this by:
·
taking up an inspirational book to read or audio book to listen
to.
·
reading and reflecting on a portion of scripture every day asking
the Holy Spirit to open your heart to receive from Him.
·
Make some notes on your Phone or Notebook of what you feel or
learnt in a diary or journal
·
listen to online sermons, podcasts, teaching resources that
inspire you.
Recognise
that we are all made in the image of God and therefore resolve to look for the
divine spark in even the most unlikely of places.
Hopefully,
this coming summer, we may all have opportunity to adopt a slower pace of life
and enjoy some space for family and recreation, so why not build into that some
time for God? In whatever way you are
spending this summer season, I hope it will be for you a time of deep encounter
with the living God. I am going to try
that – so there won’t be another letter from me in the Magazine until
September. God Bless.
Rev Gary