I once was wisely told by a fleeting mentor, early on in my now decades of discipleship, a helpful tip when in a boring prayer meeting. Have you ever been in such a prayer gathering when someone takes it upon themselves to pray twice round the world and then some? There may well have been a list of prayer requests for the group, but this individual has ticked all the boxes and added several more issues. So, here’s my 40-year-old tip, when they eventually finish, get in quick with a confident, yet short prayer. Because most people after listening to such an exhausting marathon, will feel reluctant to offer an additional prayer, or worse, they’ll be intimidated into silence, unable to find the energy or the plethora words to follow such a mammoth example. A deliberately short, confident and clearly God-focused prayer will reset the meeting and help invite others back into the privilege and fellowship of corporate pray.
I say all that, after my recent 'blog-silence', I was hoping this would be a relatively short posting to ease me back into the arena of internet-posting.
I’m a stranger in a strange land. Literally, I presently live on a continent where I wasn’t born, raised, or schooled, and where English is neither the first language nor a language spoken fluently even by a minority – though I’m aware my maths in that last statement doesn’t make sense, I’m sure the emphasis of my words will not be missed. Therefore, from time to time I crave an instant shot of English through visiting various social media platforms. It all started so innocently. Just a simple way, through modern technology, to keep in touch with people I know. Then it progressed to staying connected with current affairs, theological views, and general nostalgia for this aging ‘baby-boomer’.
So much for postmodernity, modernity rules the air - my various wifi connections are well and truly scientifically controlled. A world of clickbait, deliberate controversies, half-truths, unsubstantiated statements, and downright misinformation, clog up the arteries of my once innocent scrolling. Worse still, ruthless algorithms that have read my less than perfect mind now feed my head with disconnected soundbites, pressing my vulnerable buttons without any 'trigger' warnings. Endless scrolling is like doing a jigsaw puzzle, with no box lid picture, dozens of missing pieces, and scores of pieces from several other incompatible puzzles. No wonder mental health issues are going through the roof, and those already prone to worry are now living with exhausting and detrimental levels of anxiety, angst and anger. If you’ve never seen the Designer’s picture for your life, and you’re constantly being fed false ideologies as facts, life will soon become inconsistent, troublesome, weary and fractious.
Therefore, do I really want to add to this mire of unchecked words? Hence my musing, to blog or not to blog?
The other day I came to the final words of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), their familiarity struck me anew.
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28-29.
When Jesus had finished saying these things. His words, His wisdom. No spin, no intentional soundbites, but plenty of memorable phrases, and a prayer structure I still use to this day – almost daily.
He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers, or social media influencers. Jesus truly had divine and timeless authority. He also had our best in mind. He wasn’t looking for a 'like' or an argument, though He did (controversially) want to raise the bar on our morality, for the best – for a better society.
November will soon be upon us. If you keep to a church calendar or liturgy, you’ll know it starts with All Saints’ Day (November 1st) – biblically that’s a title any believer can claim. A wretched sinner no more, having been ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven – though still flawed, a work in progress. Remember, it’s far easier for a flawed saint to live in victory, as an accepted and adopted child of God, than it will ever be for a wretched sinner, continually weighed down by the guilt of their past, which in turn, continually feeds their hopelessness in the present to ever taste God’s promised freedom this side of eternity. Just saying, that’s all.
Anyway, back to the blog and the approaching new month. If you’ve ever watched some sci-fi or fantasy adventure involving time travel, an often-recurring theme is the danger of present actions resulting in changing the future. Hmm? If that is a real danger, how come we don’t think about that more in our present lives? The ability that our choices and actions can change the future. Well, 30 days has November, that’s 30 days of potential future-changing behaviour.
And not forgetting the Sermon on the Mount’s conclusion. Read His words, listen to His wisdom, watch His actions and interactions throughout the Gospel accounts. Dedicate these 30 days to the language and actions of Jesus. And to spare you from distractions and the endless voices (opinions and lies) of others, you may need to seriously fast (abstain) from scrolling through your various social media platforms.
There’s undoubtedly more to say, to unpack, to describe, and to help you prepare for the weeks ahead, but I’ll leave you in God’s more than capable hands to navigate this coming month. One clue, in addition to the Bible, use prayer, praise and prophecy to help fuel the focus of your spirit upon the ministry and continuing ministry of Jesus.
So, will it be a month of change? Will it be a month, when you eventually engage with Christ’s truths and discover deliverance and lasting freedom?
Rest a moment... and imagine it’s the cool of the evening. The sun is still slowly melting away in the Western sky, saturating the horizon with a rich array of deep reds and golden hues. Even so, perhaps your mind is racing? Fear, doubt, disappointment, shame, even guilt keeps you hiding from His presence. Listen. Can you hear that? Try to still your beating heart and listen. Can you hear the voice of the Lord, gently and compassionately, calling your name?
Respond to Him.
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