Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2021]

In Rudyard Kipling’s epic story ‘Jungle Book’, Mowgli is the man-cub, an orphan boy who is brought up by a pack of wolves in the Indian jungle. He encounters a variety of wild animals, both friendly and otherwise; there’s his bumbling friend Baloo the bear, the somewhat aloof panther Bagheera, the duplicitous snake Kaa and his arch-enemy Shere Khan the tiger. Later in the story we encounter Colonel Hathi with his parade of elephants and King Louie who leads a colony of apes that lives in an abandoned temple.

The story has had the ‘Walt Disney’ treatment, introducing phrases and snatches of songs that have, perhaps, become more familiar than the original story. We can identify with the quest for the bare necessities of life, the need to control the power of man’s red flower and the allure of the king of the swingers. Some can see a spiritual dimension in the serpent whispering “trusssst in me” and the devilish intentions of the tiger, whilst the eventual return of Mowgli to the man-village is likened to the arrival of Pilgrim at the Celestial City.

What is the relevance of this story in the context of a devotional reflection? What can we learn that might be of value in our day-to-day circumstances and our walk with God? Does God’s own survival guide offer any advice?

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.^[1]

As we awake each morning, whether to the trumpets of the dawn patrol or the shrill call of a smart-phone, our Shepherd knows our needs for that day, and he knows just how to satisfy them.

Mowgli would not have survived without his friends – that’s what friends are for. Even if we live as a hermit or the sole believer in a secular situation, we are not without a friend. The Holy Spirit will be a guide and comforter, if we allow him.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

It is a jungle out there. Life is beset with temptations, trials and traps. There are people who would gain great satisfaction from making life difficult for us. Generally, God places us in communities of both believers and non-believers. Some will help us, some will hinder us but in both cases God can use them to realise his plans for us, and they are all for our good.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Life in the jungle will not last for ever. There is a home at the end of the road; a village with many mansions awaits those who trust in Jesus Christ as saviour and faithfully follow him.

Is your name in his book of invitees?

[1] All quotations from Psalm 23, NIVUK

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 16/May/2021]

I’m quite aware that not everyone sees things as I do! But I’m also quite sure, based on the observations of up-to-date Christian writers and private conversations I’ve had, that many of us are secretly thinking things we don’t dare speak about openly. So … here goes!

Very recently, while in group prayer, I had a mental picture of a bus at a stop. The driver was standing outside the bus calling out, ‘All change!‘ His passengers were getting off his bus and boarding another which had just pulled up in front of it. I immediately had what I think is a prophetic interpretation of the scenario: Bus 1 had apparently achieved its purpose – it had taken people so far. What wasn’t clear to me was whether, 1) this change of bus was a normal part of the route, or 2) this was an emergency caused by a breakdown of the first bus.

I think option 2 is correct. No-one expected to have to change buses to complete their journey. BUT THEY WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET WHERE THEY WANTED TO GO IF THEY REFUSED THE ‘ALL CHANGE’ CALL! Bus 1 had not really served its purpose, but the passengers couldn’t have realised that before getting to this stop.

Here’s where things get really challenging. Greta Thunberg, the teenage climate change activist, says that when we find ourselves tackling a life-or-death catastrophe, small adjustments to our lifestyle are FAILURES; only radical change will make the necessary difference!

I apply that to church. If we’re going to complete our journey, to fulfil Jesus’s ‘great commission’ (Matt 28: 19-20) we need to wake up to the truth that our traditional ‘means of transport’ has failed to get us where Jesus wants to take us. We need the courage, the DESPERATION, to get on that next bus. We’ll be surprised to see who’s driving it!!

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2021]

Every time we look at a passage of Scripture, prayerfully and with a mind open to the Holy Spirit, we have the possibility to see fresh facets; interpretations and implications that, to us at least, appear new. Sometimes they sparkle, sometimes we have to work a bit to see them and sometimes they are pointed out to us by others. This reflection contains elements of all three.

Recently, I heard a talk based on the parable of the good Samaritan^[1]. The presenter drew out several points that maybe we had not noticed previously, one being that the lawyer was asking the right questions, but for the wrong reason – indeed, the text tells us that he wanted to test Jesus.

This raises the matter of motivation. Why do we ask questions? Is it to increase our knowledge or is it to put the respondent on the spot? When we ask “How are you?”, are we actually interested in the answer? After Jesus levelled the score the lawyer thought that he should have another shot, so he asked “Who is my neighbour?” The answer that Jesus gave was much more than our usual understanding of the word.

Your neighbour is not just someone with whom you compete for a parking space or whose cat leaves deposits in your flower bed. Your neighbour is not even someone who takes in your parcel whilst you are out or trims your hedge when you are ill. Jesus redefined neighbour on the basis of need and the willingness to help.

Philanthropy needs resources. Time and money. We might think that maybe the priest was penniless and the Levite was late for an appointment, but that would be to excuse their indifference. By contrast, the Samaritan was willing to risk himself and his resources. It is interesting that Jesus did not make any comments about what motivated these three men but simply left history to judge them. How will history judge your actions?

The gospel of Matthew records the parable of the generous employer^[2]. He went out one morning and hired some labourers to work his land; he agreed to pay the going rate for a full day’s work. At various intervals during the day he engaged more workers and sent them to join his earlier group. At the end of the day he paid them all the same, the full rate for the day.

Most of us, having seen ‘johnny come lately’ being treated with such generosity would have expected some kind of added bonus for our length of service and loyalty, and complained when that didn’t happen. From a Western perspective, we might ask whether the employer was wise to upset the economics of the labour market, but such a question misses the point of the parable. This employer treated the workers on the basis of their need rather than their expectations.

Salvation is based on our need, not on our expectations of a reward for effort or endeavour. That’s just as well since our efforts will never meet the required standard. Or, as the apostle Paul wrote:

“all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3 v23 AMP]

[1] The good Samaritan, Luke 10 v25-37
[2] The generous employer, Matthew 20 v1-16

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Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/May/2021]

God makes all things beautiful in its time [Ecclesiastes ch 3 v11 NIVUK]

How frustrating it’s been over the last few weeks to have to wait for the night frosts to stop so we can plant bedding plants and sow seeds.

We long for our gardens to radiate vibrant colours that bring pleasure to us and those around us. It’s amazing how some plants survive even the hardest of frosts and yet others wilt and die very quickly. I was thinking about how this relates well to reaching out to people with the good news about Jesus.

Personally, I want everybody to come through to Jesus quickly but a lot of times we need to withstand the frosty looks which can only be thawed out by genuine care, love and long-term friendships through thick and thin.

After the Holy Spirit has prepared the ground through prayer and intercession, Jesus will show us when to plant the seeds. When God is on the move the seeds, we have planted can grow very fast, then we have to be prepared to bring in the harvest.

Are we ready for action, reaching out to those who want to know Jesus, or just enquiring…….? It could be anytime – the frost is clearing now, the ground is prepared, are you ready……?

Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. [John 4 v35 NIVUK]

Happy gardening full of fruitfulness, blessings,

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.