18th October
A few weeks ago. I was driving along the road, through the Mearns, and I noticed that a farmer had offloaded a lot of manure in a field. There was a huge heap, not an unfamiliar sight at this time of the year.
What stood out for me was the steam coming off the heap.
Without the steam, it was simply a heap of manure. But it was the steam that gave away the inner presence of heat.
So, the thought that crossed my mind was this.
The only reason I could see the steam was because of the difference in temperature. The temperature of the steam and the air around it was different. And so, the steam becomes evident.
Paul speaks of us being in the world but not of the world. Many Christians over the years have seen that as a call to be separate.
I do not, like the steam, I see it as a call to be obvious. To stand out. To let was is inside be revealed on the outside.
And like the steam, if what comes out of me is just the same as what is around me, no-one will notice.
So, the question I leave with you is this. What about our life, our words, our deeds and even our thoughts, stands out for others to see, and is what stands out for others to see, helpful?
It is Jesus who said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Let the world see your steam!
A hymn to ponder.
CH4 Hymn 536 May the mind of Christ my Saviour
May the mind of Christ my Saviour
live in me from day to day,
by his love and power controlling
all I do and say.
May the word of God enrich me
with his truth, from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph
only through his power.
May the peace of God my Father
in my life for ever reign,
that I may be calm to comfort
those in grief and pain.
as the waters fill the sea;
him exalting, self abasing –
this is victory.
May his beauty rest upon me
as I seek to make him known;
so that all may look to Jesus,
seeing him alone.
May I run the race before me,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus,
I invite you to share in a short prayer each day in the week to come.
Sunday
“This is the day that the Lord has made. We will be glad and rejoice in it.” Psalm 118:24
Lord, thank you for this day, the day that we choose to worship you. Whether I find my way to a church or not, my heart and mind are turned towards you. Thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and promise to do. This is your day and I rejoice in it.
Amen
Monday
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
I stand at the beginning of the week, O Lord. I ask that you walk beside me through all that I do. I pray that I will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And that at the end of the week, I can look back, and declare, “I have walked with the Lord”.
Amen
Tuesday
“Guard your words and you’ll guard your life, but if you don’t control your tongue, it will ruin everything. “– Proverbs 13:3
Lord, as I journey through this week, help me be slow to speak and quick to hear.
When I do speak may my words be loving, kind, and generous so that those who hear my words will be glad they did.
Amen
Wednesday
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
Lord as I reach the middle of my week, I sometimes feel my isolation. Covid19 has made me fearful of crowds and I am cut off from the people I love. Let me know your presence in my life and let me stay strong till the day comes when I am free to be.
Amen
Thursday
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Oh Lord, how I long for a sense of quiet. To simply be. To not engage in the busyness of my confined space. To, for a moment, not have to connect, engage, be online. To sit still, quietly, in your presence, for there my soul feeds and rests.
Amen
Friday
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Lord, my week has ended, and yet I cannot let go. I am already thinking about what needs to be done in the days ahead. It feels as if one week blurs into the next and the next.
The news continues to be difficult to hear. And my heart is anxious about “tomorrow”. Nothing feels predictable. In you, Lord, there is a future, our “bright hope for tomorrow”, and I know that I need not be anxious.
Thank you for your Word that guides my life.
Amen
Saturday
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, …” Acts 3:19
Lord, when I look back over my week, there were those moments when I could have done better. I could have used words that helped rather than hindered and held thoughts that were loving rather than angry.
Where I have sinned please forgive. So that I may start the new week with a clean heart.
Amen