Friday, May 1, 2015

Friday, May 1, 2015    

Isaiah 30: 18 – 21

God’s not finished.  He’s waiting around to be gracious to you … to show mercy to you.

How encouraging these words are.  Imagine or remember a time of grief, of shame, of discouragement.  God doesn’t seem to be anywhere.  But like in the poem Footprints, God is there, and he is active.  His action is always to show us His love, His mercy and His grace.  The pain and discouragement we feel are natural consequences of poor choices – our own and those of others (because our actions always influence more than ourselves, and others’ poor choices certainly have consequences for innocent bystanders!)

What I hear in these words is that God does not abandon us to those consequences.  He is ready, waiting and wanting to show mercy.  Those who persevere and expect Him and His help will indeed receive it.

The idea of the “teacher” being right with the people and giving them the advice they need, reminds me of Jesus’s promise to send the Holy Spirit, to dwell within our hearts and to lead us in right paths.  Whether we think of this as an actual spirit, or whether we think of God working through our own God-given minds, it makes no difference.  We are promised graceful leading if we ask.

Today, we remember St Philip and St James, two men who walked with Jesus and then shared their experiences with many after.  Philip is traditionally associated with faith and James with works.  Celebrating them together reminds us that these are two sides of the same coin.  Faith without works is meaningless; and works without faith is pointless.  Grace brings these together.

Blessings

Ann Kelland