Stilling my restless heart
Quieting my noisy mind
Slowing my frantic pace
I come
Alone
To meet with you.
Thirsting for your presence
Hungry for your love
A gifted longing for intimacy wells up;
Yearning to know you more
Desperate to hear you speak
As you call me, draw me and coax me to yourself.
Breathing slowly with unhurried calm
Gently I become aware
That I am loved
And leaning hard upon your breast
Rest for a moment
Allowing you to take the strain
Daring to believe that even I belong.
And now my soul content
Realisation dawns;
You are here
Surrounding, embracing, supporting, enfolding.
I am held, I can relax
Safe, secure, wanted, loved;
No fear, no guilt, no shame
No burden or unwelcome load
No pointing finger or condemning voice
Only warmth and joy
Acceptance, welcome, healing grace.
Transfixed
With time suspended
Union and communion
At one with you
Paused in this present blessedness.
And now the presence lifts
And I return refreshed,
Renewed, restored
To serve again with inner joy
From inward depths of love received
A river flowing full and free.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Walking with a limp
I've had sciatica now for 34 days. In case you don't know, sciatica is a painful condition down the length of one leg caused by a trap sciatic nerve. It's not life-threatening, but it is definitely not life-enhancing either as it is uncomfortable and inconvenient. It is most painful when walking, and especially so when going down stairs, so I'm glad we live in a bungalow! But it has caused me to walk with a limp, and to identify with that wily Old Testament character Jacob in a new and deeper way.
I've always made a great deal about the fact that after his encounter with God at Peniel Jacob walked with a limp (Genesis 32:31-32, and see my post of 1st February). I've never read any commentary suggesting Jacob had sciatica, but I think he might have had! Anyway, there are some clear spiritual lessons to be drawn from the experience of walking with a limp.
First of all, it slows you down. Jacob had to ask his brother Esau to go ahead of him, and I find myself doing the same with my wife. We are so used to living a hectic life, and slowing down is never easy... until you walk with a limp, and then rushing is impossible. Which is no bad thing in the spiritual life, because it helps us to eliminate hurry from our lives and to live more contemplatively.
Secondly, it makes you humble, especially if you are a man. It weakens you, and undermines your physical capabilities. It takes away from your natural strength, and it is rather embarrassing to find yourself disabled, even for a short time. Pride is present in us all, especially men, and God opposes it. He reserves his grace for those who are humble.
Thirdly, it makes you dependent. Jacob is to be seen leaning on his staff and worshipping God (Hebrews 11:21), actions expressing his physical and spiritual dependency. I have so far declined my wife's kind offer to buy me a walking stick, but it is the proud, independent self that God has to weaken in us. We were made to live in creaturely dependence upon him, and this is the heart of the spiritual life.
Fourthly, it makes you vulnerable, not only because of the pain, but because we are incapacitated. I realised myself that if I had to run across the road to avoid the traffic, I probably wouldn't make it; or if I were confronted by muggers, I would not be able to flee. Sobering thoughts. Vulnerability is however a deeply spiritual quality. It is good to feel pain, albeit in a small way, so we can identify with others in real pain; to know limitations and weakness, so we can share with those who feel powerless. Most of all, to be vulnerable before God and admit our great need of him.
I have of course prayed daily for my healing, and so have others. People say it can take six weeks to recover. I don't know why I am not healed yet, but at least I have been able to understand Jacob a bit more deeply!
I've always made a great deal about the fact that after his encounter with God at Peniel Jacob walked with a limp (Genesis 32:31-32, and see my post of 1st February). I've never read any commentary suggesting Jacob had sciatica, but I think he might have had! Anyway, there are some clear spiritual lessons to be drawn from the experience of walking with a limp.
First of all, it slows you down. Jacob had to ask his brother Esau to go ahead of him, and I find myself doing the same with my wife. We are so used to living a hectic life, and slowing down is never easy... until you walk with a limp, and then rushing is impossible. Which is no bad thing in the spiritual life, because it helps us to eliminate hurry from our lives and to live more contemplatively.
Secondly, it makes you humble, especially if you are a man. It weakens you, and undermines your physical capabilities. It takes away from your natural strength, and it is rather embarrassing to find yourself disabled, even for a short time. Pride is present in us all, especially men, and God opposes it. He reserves his grace for those who are humble.
Thirdly, it makes you dependent. Jacob is to be seen leaning on his staff and worshipping God (Hebrews 11:21), actions expressing his physical and spiritual dependency. I have so far declined my wife's kind offer to buy me a walking stick, but it is the proud, independent self that God has to weaken in us. We were made to live in creaturely dependence upon him, and this is the heart of the spiritual life.
Fourthly, it makes you vulnerable, not only because of the pain, but because we are incapacitated. I realised myself that if I had to run across the road to avoid the traffic, I probably wouldn't make it; or if I were confronted by muggers, I would not be able to flee. Sobering thoughts. Vulnerability is however a deeply spiritual quality. It is good to feel pain, albeit in a small way, so we can identify with others in real pain; to know limitations and weakness, so we can share with those who feel powerless. Most of all, to be vulnerable before God and admit our great need of him.
I have of course prayed daily for my healing, and so have others. People say it can take six weeks to recover. I don't know why I am not healed yet, but at least I have been able to understand Jacob a bit more deeply!
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The search for tranquility
I read an interesting article in The Yorkshire Post this week, entitled 'Peace in our time'. It begin by recalling the pleasure people experienced as they enjoyed the unfamiliar sound of silence when air traffic was banned for six days due to the cloud of volcanic ash over the UK. Birds were heard to sing at Heathrow, and for a few days the volume of modern life was turned down.
The article went on to talk about the tranquility mapping project being undertaken by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Their spokesperson, Graeme Willis, says that tranquility is important for everyone, but increasing noise from traffic, aeroplanes, and rapid urban growth mean that it is harder to find silence these days.
Using a research method that identifies 44 factors considered the basic recipe for tranquility, Graeme and his team have mapped out the quietest (and the noisiest) places in England. They also want to campaign for a National Quiet Day to remind us all - at least for one day - what we are losing as we dash from place to place.
The quietest place in England? Northumberland (a score of +28.6), a place I love to visit for a break at least once a year. And the noisiest? Slough, just outside London and near to Heathrow (score -79.5). The part of the country where I live (South Yorkshire) came in at 49th with a score of -19.2. Am I surprsied? Not at all. We live with the background noise of traffic all the time, and today, the yapping of the dog next door!
The Bible has long taught us the value of stillnness and silence, both for the sake our health and well-being, and also for our relationship with God. We are fortunate in Britain to have many beautiful retreat houses, often in quiet country areas, so it possible for us to find those 'hot spots' of tranquility and to nourish our souls with quiet prayer.
Wherever you live, be aware of the drain upon your soul made by constant noise, crowded places, and a hectic pace of life. Try and find a quiet corner somewhere, and allow the silence to bring you to that place of tranquility. It will refresh your mind, nourish your spirit and heal your body.
'Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in the lonely places.' (Mark 1:45)
The article went on to talk about the tranquility mapping project being undertaken by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England. Their spokesperson, Graeme Willis, says that tranquility is important for everyone, but increasing noise from traffic, aeroplanes, and rapid urban growth mean that it is harder to find silence these days.
Using a research method that identifies 44 factors considered the basic recipe for tranquility, Graeme and his team have mapped out the quietest (and the noisiest) places in England. They also want to campaign for a National Quiet Day to remind us all - at least for one day - what we are losing as we dash from place to place.
The quietest place in England? Northumberland (a score of +28.6), a place I love to visit for a break at least once a year. And the noisiest? Slough, just outside London and near to Heathrow (score -79.5). The part of the country where I live (South Yorkshire) came in at 49th with a score of -19.2. Am I surprsied? Not at all. We live with the background noise of traffic all the time, and today, the yapping of the dog next door!
The Bible has long taught us the value of stillnness and silence, both for the sake our health and well-being, and also for our relationship with God. We are fortunate in Britain to have many beautiful retreat houses, often in quiet country areas, so it possible for us to find those 'hot spots' of tranquility and to nourish our souls with quiet prayer.
Wherever you live, be aware of the drain upon your soul made by constant noise, crowded places, and a hectic pace of life. Try and find a quiet corner somewhere, and allow the silence to bring you to that place of tranquility. It will refresh your mind, nourish your spirit and heal your body.
'Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in the lonely places.' (Mark 1:45)
Friday, 30 April 2010
Six Steps to Sabbath Simplicity
It used to be, when people would ask “How are you?” we’d often answer by saying, “Fine.” Even if we were not fine, we’d say we were, to be polite, I suppose.
These days, when people ask, “How are you?” the standard answer has changed. We say, “I’m so busy!” Even if we are not, we say we are. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because our culture believes that if you are busy, you’re important. You matter. You’re productive and significant.
It’s not wrong to want to be significant. We all want to know that we matter. And in fact, I believe, every person on this planet matters, because God loves them. Every person alive matters to God—even if they don’t believe that’s true, even if they don’t believe God exists. But if we don’t fully grasp God’s love for us, we keep trying other ways to feel significant. Mostly, we try to earn significance by accomplishment. But that doesn’t really work. If your life is really frantic, if your kids are overscheduled, if you don’t have time to just be, do you feel better? No, you just feel exhausted.
There is another way to find meaning and significance. And that’s what I want to share with you today. We’re going to talk about six ways to simplify your life, to find greater meaning and a deeper spirituality.
You’ve heard it before, but less is more. An over-schedule life injures our souls, and our relationships. So how can we begin to live in Sabbath Simplicity, which I define as a God-focused, sanely paced life?
1. Get real about the pace of your life. Before you can figure out the next step on your journey, you have to know where you are. How many commitments do you have each week? How often do you say “yes” when you really ought to say no? Write out your weekly schedule, along with the schedule of your family members. Is there any margin in your life—any downtime? Have you put your children in too many activities, so much so that they don’t have any time to just hang out with friends or with YOU?
2. Be honest about your motivation. If you are hurried and busy, have you thought about why? Often, we are restless—so we respond by getting busy. But the antidote to our restlessness is rest. Think about how you function if you are sleep deprived. Many of us are not only sleep deprived, we’re rest deprived. We don’t have enough time to relax, to connect with our loved ones, to nurture ourselves.
3. Value relationships over productivity. Our hurried lifestyle often isolates us. If we make time for rest in our lives, it enables us to reconnect with those we love. Your to-do list can wait, but relationships suffer if they are neglected. A Sabbath Simplicity life includes taking one day out of your week to put aside your tasks, and focus on spiritual and relational growth. Take a Sabbath day, where you spend time with people you care about, where you reconnect with God, with friends, with family.
4. Revise! So often, we get stuck in a rut. We take on too many commitments, we think we have to do everything and do it perfectly. Write down some specific steps to change. And remember that the only person you can change is YOU. What sort of rhythm of life would be healthy for you? Even if you can’t get the people you live with to join you, create some space in your life. Take a Sabbath day, even if your family does not. Make your home, and your demeanor, calm and inviting, even if you can only do that one day a week. Give yourself one night a week where you get a full night’s sleep. You’ll be surprised how resting one day a week will affect the rest of your week—you’ll not only be more peaceful, you’re likely to be more productive.
5. Take time to play. What gives you joy? We are often so task-focused that we lose our joy. Play is restful, and rest is playful. It rejuvenates us. Often, play engages us with others. Play can be creative—a hobby you enjoy. It can be silly—laughter has been clinically proven to help heal our bodies. Our family will often play board games—build this habit when your children are young. My kids are 12 and 14 and still love to play Scrabble or Monopoly with my husband and I. Those are rich family times. Rather than signing your child up for another sport that you have to pay for and drive them to three times a week, simply do something each week together as a family—go for a bike ride, or a walk. Visit a museum or a petting zoo, take a hike through a nature preserve or botanic garden. Be active together, instead of just enrolling in separate activities that scatter you.
6. Make your spiritual life a priority. Take time each day to pray or meditate, to read Scripture, poetry, or an inspiring book. Prayer is not just talking to God, but also listening. Notice where God is at work, notice where there are needs you can meet. Here is a sure way to deeper spiritual life: notice someone who is in need, and show that person kindness. Whether you bring a meal to an ailing neighbor or simply listen to a troubled friend, showing love is a form of prayer.
Keri Wyatt Kent is a speaker and author of seven books, including Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Learn more about her ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com
These days, when people ask, “How are you?” the standard answer has changed. We say, “I’m so busy!” Even if we are not, we say we are. Why is that? Perhaps it’s because our culture believes that if you are busy, you’re important. You matter. You’re productive and significant.
It’s not wrong to want to be significant. We all want to know that we matter. And in fact, I believe, every person on this planet matters, because God loves them. Every person alive matters to God—even if they don’t believe that’s true, even if they don’t believe God exists. But if we don’t fully grasp God’s love for us, we keep trying other ways to feel significant. Mostly, we try to earn significance by accomplishment. But that doesn’t really work. If your life is really frantic, if your kids are overscheduled, if you don’t have time to just be, do you feel better? No, you just feel exhausted.
There is another way to find meaning and significance. And that’s what I want to share with you today. We’re going to talk about six ways to simplify your life, to find greater meaning and a deeper spirituality.
You’ve heard it before, but less is more. An over-schedule life injures our souls, and our relationships. So how can we begin to live in Sabbath Simplicity, which I define as a God-focused, sanely paced life?
1. Get real about the pace of your life. Before you can figure out the next step on your journey, you have to know where you are. How many commitments do you have each week? How often do you say “yes” when you really ought to say no? Write out your weekly schedule, along with the schedule of your family members. Is there any margin in your life—any downtime? Have you put your children in too many activities, so much so that they don’t have any time to just hang out with friends or with YOU?
2. Be honest about your motivation. If you are hurried and busy, have you thought about why? Often, we are restless—so we respond by getting busy. But the antidote to our restlessness is rest. Think about how you function if you are sleep deprived. Many of us are not only sleep deprived, we’re rest deprived. We don’t have enough time to relax, to connect with our loved ones, to nurture ourselves.
3. Value relationships over productivity. Our hurried lifestyle often isolates us. If we make time for rest in our lives, it enables us to reconnect with those we love. Your to-do list can wait, but relationships suffer if they are neglected. A Sabbath Simplicity life includes taking one day out of your week to put aside your tasks, and focus on spiritual and relational growth. Take a Sabbath day, where you spend time with people you care about, where you reconnect with God, with friends, with family.
4. Revise! So often, we get stuck in a rut. We take on too many commitments, we think we have to do everything and do it perfectly. Write down some specific steps to change. And remember that the only person you can change is YOU. What sort of rhythm of life would be healthy for you? Even if you can’t get the people you live with to join you, create some space in your life. Take a Sabbath day, even if your family does not. Make your home, and your demeanor, calm and inviting, even if you can only do that one day a week. Give yourself one night a week where you get a full night’s sleep. You’ll be surprised how resting one day a week will affect the rest of your week—you’ll not only be more peaceful, you’re likely to be more productive.
5. Take time to play. What gives you joy? We are often so task-focused that we lose our joy. Play is restful, and rest is playful. It rejuvenates us. Often, play engages us with others. Play can be creative—a hobby you enjoy. It can be silly—laughter has been clinically proven to help heal our bodies. Our family will often play board games—build this habit when your children are young. My kids are 12 and 14 and still love to play Scrabble or Monopoly with my husband and I. Those are rich family times. Rather than signing your child up for another sport that you have to pay for and drive them to three times a week, simply do something each week together as a family—go for a bike ride, or a walk. Visit a museum or a petting zoo, take a hike through a nature preserve or botanic garden. Be active together, instead of just enrolling in separate activities that scatter you.
6. Make your spiritual life a priority. Take time each day to pray or meditate, to read Scripture, poetry, or an inspiring book. Prayer is not just talking to God, but also listening. Notice where God is at work, notice where there are needs you can meet. Here is a sure way to deeper spiritual life: notice someone who is in need, and show that person kindness. Whether you bring a meal to an ailing neighbor or simply listen to a troubled friend, showing love is a form of prayer.
Keri Wyatt Kent is a speaker and author of seven books, including Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity. Learn more about her ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Volcanic int-erruptions
I could have been writing this from Kenya, but in fact I'm writing it from home, because I'm not in Kenya. I should have been, but because of the air travel retrictions my flight on Tuesday evening was cancelled.
It was a topsy-turvy day. At first it looked as if my flight to Nairobi would be one of the first to leave Heathrow after the closures, and Virgin certainly gave that impression; but the news and media were saying there would be another blanket closure that day. My dilemma was this: should I travel down to London, and risk being stranded there late on in the evening if the flight didn't go, or should I cancel ahead of time and risk letting people in Kenya down if the flight went after all?
In the end, after talking it through with the organisers in Kenya, it was felt I should cancel. I felt really bad about this, but was somewhat relieved when later in the day all flights were cancelled anyway, so there was no way I could have gone. But what a day of uncertainty and confusion.
That particular morning I came across these words in the book of James (4:13-16) by chance.
Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
I don't know how you feel about the Icelandic eruption, and its effect on Western Europe, but to me it seems clearly another indication that God is speaking to us, and trying to get our attention. So many thwarted plans and so much confusion humble us, and remind us of the uncertainty of life. They encourage us to adopt a more God-dependent style of living, where we recognise the truth that although people plan their ways, it is God who directs their steps.
It was a topsy-turvy day. At first it looked as if my flight to Nairobi would be one of the first to leave Heathrow after the closures, and Virgin certainly gave that impression; but the news and media were saying there would be another blanket closure that day. My dilemma was this: should I travel down to London, and risk being stranded there late on in the evening if the flight didn't go, or should I cancel ahead of time and risk letting people in Kenya down if the flight went after all?
In the end, after talking it through with the organisers in Kenya, it was felt I should cancel. I felt really bad about this, but was somewhat relieved when later in the day all flights were cancelled anyway, so there was no way I could have gone. But what a day of uncertainty and confusion.
That particular morning I came across these words in the book of James (4:13-16) by chance.
Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
I don't know how you feel about the Icelandic eruption, and its effect on Western Europe, but to me it seems clearly another indication that God is speaking to us, and trying to get our attention. So many thwarted plans and so much confusion humble us, and remind us of the uncertainty of life. They encourage us to adopt a more God-dependent style of living, where we recognise the truth that although people plan their ways, it is God who directs their steps.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Where have you been?
You may well ask. I've neglected my blog over the last two months. Someone recently said that a blog should be updated every week, and I can see the point, but I don't think I would ever be able to keep that up and do all the other things I do. So at the moment 'intermittent' is the best I can achieve.
Anyway the silent weeks have in fact been very significant. We were looking forward to a two week holiday in Perth, Australia, with our son Alistair in February, followed by two weeks of ministry in Singapore. Two days before we left, Evelyn my wife had news that she has breast cancer. As you can imagine this was a real shock. We were advised that it would be OK to go ahead with the trip, which we did, and it was a marvellous time; but as soon as we returned Evelyn went into hospital for surgery.
I'm glad to report that the operation was successful, less invasive than we feared, and that they said there was no further trace of cancer. However, she will have a course of chemo therapy, starting next week - six treatments, one every three weeks. It will be a long journey for her.
What has been amazing to us both is how God has helped us through this period, and given us a deep sense of peace.
We have noticed the timing of God. Her operation coincided with a 'blank' two weeks in my diary, something that doesn't normally happen.
Then we were strengthened by the word of God, the beginning of Psalm 71 in particular for me, and Zephaniah 3:17 for Evelyn.
Added to this, the compassion and generosity of God came to us through our friends, both in Singapore and here in Ackworth, where we worship.
Finally we have been conscious of the presence of God, mediated to us through the prayers of his people around the world. Sometimes you can almost 'feel' prayer, and that is how it has been for us.
This is not meant to be a sermon, but a testimony. We are optimisitic for a good outcome, but are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Faith has to be worked out in real life situations, and it comes alive when we face difficulties; otherwise it lies dormant and can stagnate.
Anyway the silent weeks have in fact been very significant. We were looking forward to a two week holiday in Perth, Australia, with our son Alistair in February, followed by two weeks of ministry in Singapore. Two days before we left, Evelyn my wife had news that she has breast cancer. As you can imagine this was a real shock. We were advised that it would be OK to go ahead with the trip, which we did, and it was a marvellous time; but as soon as we returned Evelyn went into hospital for surgery.
I'm glad to report that the operation was successful, less invasive than we feared, and that they said there was no further trace of cancer. However, she will have a course of chemo therapy, starting next week - six treatments, one every three weeks. It will be a long journey for her.
What has been amazing to us both is how God has helped us through this period, and given us a deep sense of peace.
We have noticed the timing of God. Her operation coincided with a 'blank' two weeks in my diary, something that doesn't normally happen.
Then we were strengthened by the word of God, the beginning of Psalm 71 in particular for me, and Zephaniah 3:17 for Evelyn.
Added to this, the compassion and generosity of God came to us through our friends, both in Singapore and here in Ackworth, where we worship.
Finally we have been conscious of the presence of God, mediated to us through the prayers of his people around the world. Sometimes you can almost 'feel' prayer, and that is how it has been for us.
This is not meant to be a sermon, but a testimony. We are optimisitic for a good outcome, but are not underestimating the challenge ahead. Faith has to be worked out in real life situations, and it comes alive when we face difficulties; otherwise it lies dormant and can stagnate.
Monday, 1 February 2010
The Masculine Soul
Just home after an exciting weekend retreat with about 25 men. There's a lot of discussion these days about why men hate going to church - that it is a feminine environment, that men don't like to sing 'love' songs to Jesus, and that the talks are too pastoral and not challenging enough. Well there is some truth in this, but it is not the whole story. One thing that never seems to be addressed in discussions about the lack of men in church, or the low level spirituality of those that are, is the nature of what we might call 'the masculine soul' - the pride within men that also holds them back from a life-changing encounter with God.
I shared at the retreat from the life of Jacob, because of all the characters in the Old Testament, he most clearly illustrates the 3 key expressions of the masculine soul: (1) natural strength and a 'I don't need any help' mentality; (2) naked ambition and a grasping after success; (3) a complete lack of self-awareness.
We traced the course of his life to see how God shaped this most unlikely candidate for spiritual fruitfulness, using both 'process' and 'crisis' to bring him to a place of submission and usefulness. The process involved 20 years of hardship in a foreign land. The crisis centred on two dramatic moments of direct encounter with God, at Bethel and then Peniel.
In the end God got his man, albeit by striking his thigh and leaving him with a limp - the wound of love. Only then would his natural strength be broken and his stubborn will yield to the Almighty.
God is the God of Jacob, forever linked to an individual who epitomises the masculine soul, which is reassuring for us all. It means there is hope for us too in our rebellion and waywardness, and sufficient mercy and grace to subdue the Jacob in us all and bring the Israel to birth.
I shared at the retreat from the life of Jacob, because of all the characters in the Old Testament, he most clearly illustrates the 3 key expressions of the masculine soul: (1) natural strength and a 'I don't need any help' mentality; (2) naked ambition and a grasping after success; (3) a complete lack of self-awareness.
We traced the course of his life to see how God shaped this most unlikely candidate for spiritual fruitfulness, using both 'process' and 'crisis' to bring him to a place of submission and usefulness. The process involved 20 years of hardship in a foreign land. The crisis centred on two dramatic moments of direct encounter with God, at Bethel and then Peniel.
In the end God got his man, albeit by striking his thigh and leaving him with a limp - the wound of love. Only then would his natural strength be broken and his stubborn will yield to the Almighty.
God is the God of Jacob, forever linked to an individual who epitomises the masculine soul, which is reassuring for us all. It means there is hope for us too in our rebellion and waywardness, and sufficient mercy and grace to subdue the Jacob in us all and bring the Israel to birth.
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