Looking down towards deepdale in Preston, I was taking a picture of the football stadium with the last embers of the sun as it carried on its journey until its sunrise tomorrow. I noticed as I zoomed out that the trees made a perfect 45 degree angle upwards and how the trees looked so immense compared to the stadium. Of course this is an illusion as the stadium is pretty big, but there are trees across the world that are bigger than stadiums.
When I reflected on our work compared to what God has created, it pales into insignificance. Even the great wall of China which is viewable from space is just a tiny grain of sand compared to what God has created.
Just looking at the metal beams that hold up deepdale stadium, and the wonderful Sir Tom Finney fountain outside which has provided some stunning photographs when it was frozen, these are mere specks compared to Gods work. The trees have immensely complex structures that are each completely different in shape and character.
The finer you get into the detail of our work it looks shoddy. Any plumber looking at my plumbing would run a mile! The bottom left picture has a filter applied so it looks rather tacky, but that is obviously the work of our hands, Gods picture is far more complex yet simple.
Gods work as you go in closer reveals layers upon layers of fine tuned details (compare the stadium beams to the trees complex yet beautiful branches).
The trees are also perfect for reproducing its precious life from a single tiny seed – so is all of Gods living work; trees, plants, animals, insects, plankton and humans.
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
This is clearly what our work should be, that we believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Christ, Messiah, saviour of the world. I don’t know how many times I might repeat that; the thought that God could actually lower Himself to be born into a frail baby, and experience this world in all its pain and joy. Before being tortured to death and rising to life – all for each of us is just mind blowing. Even writing this I have to stop and say a prayer of thanks for this act, because I on the other hand have been so selfish, ruthless, angry, vindictive, and all the other traits that I have grown up with. But God knew this!
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
God has been with me in my life, and even though I didn’t know it sometimes, or deliberately ignored Him, He was with me. Some time ago I started to get an idea that God wanted me to lead people to His church. I thought he meant to be trained to be ordained, so I could apply for a job of Vicar or something similar. How human of me. God has a better plan.
When people would ask me about why I wanted to do this, the truth really was that “want” did not come into it. Does anyone want to sleep late at night after a hard day? No, they need to sleep. But I don’t think God hands things to us, like on a collection plate. He shapes us for roles, and expects us to come good on all the life training He gives us.
The truth is, everyone has been made overseers of Christ’s church, and that fact that He gave up so much and that I came to realise that He is real, makes me need to do His work – to believe in Christ, and try with all my might to bring people into contact with Him.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord,
do not keep silent,
And give Him no rest till He establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
I remember when I was in training with the Army, we were dug in trenches and in pairs we would stay awake with our guns pointing out into the night on a two hour rota. When the two hours had gone we would swap over so we got some sleep. I distinctly remember listening hard, for the slightest noise, and every animal that was creeping around or fluttering nearby I would hear and think – is that really an animal or bird, or is it someone trying to sneak up. Once an enemy soldier sneaked up (this was a training event!) and so I called out the question to see if a password would come back and it didn’t so I had to open fire. This was not a real encounter with real rounds but it felt real enough for me.
We are the watchmen; men, women, boys and girls. We should be on call to make a defence of our faith, of our Lord. When we are urged to speak up by the Holy Spirit we must speak up and defend Christ.
The Holy Spirit urges us not to keep silent until the Lords kingdom is established on this earth.
Thank you Lord for all my many experiences in life, and help me to lead others to your church. Let me do your work this night. When there is no one in sight to help, let me pray for others, let me crane my ears to hear the Holy Spirits bidding, like my life depended on it, as it does. As a son bring many pictures and created things to his father to show him, and receive love in return, let me offer up my life to you everyday.
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
with blessing
Graham
365 Exhortations 