Sometimes, when you are older, younger people may ask what things you have learnt in life. I think what I am learning, in case you are interested, is epitomised in the words of John the Baptist when referring to Yeshua, Messiah: “He must increase, I must decrease.” Even when you are old you can make the same mistakes you made as a 20-year-old. Just last week I spoke unkindly to a friend. What you learn firstly, after apologising, is how you might say it better next time, but more importantly the revelation that one is not always such a pleasant person, for lurking in the shadows one doesn’t know who might, from within one’s character, show up under provocation. I had a vigorous disagreement with my brother a few weeks ago – I was unpleasant! Again, followed by an apology. These failings have helped me to see that I am of less significance as a person. We can take our failings; failure in business, failure in education, failure in fatherhood/motherhood, as a son/daughter, relationships, our walk with God, you name it, and let them pull us into a descending ‘low-life’ spiral, a diminishing significance of self. It doesn’t have to depress us though. What I’ve noticed in this “examined life” is how powerfully the Bible speaks while I continue to deal with my sin and walk in step (mostly) with the Holy Spirit. The lower I go, as I get older, the more I find myself in Christ.

Now, I’m not big on success or wealth or status. If one is an achiever, a winner, prominent in one’s field even through hard work, and with a favourable disposition as a Christian, you tell me, how do you find the precious place, the “pearl” of insignificance? Does it send you to your knees more often? Do you have a strategy for abiding in Christ when status, respect, and privilege come knocking regularly at your door? I am glad that many Christians are successful. But, if the most satisfying experience in this life is to have the Holy Spirit settle on you, to breathe His life and power into you, do you think He will be willing to share His glory with your status? – it’s laughable.

So, if any young person asks me what I have learnt thus far in my life I’ll just say, it’s better to regard one’s reputation, either for success or failure, as a stepping stone to humility and brokenness before our God. To find oneself on the “narrow way” to emptiness and insignificance in this life as a Christian is to recognise the royal and priestly markers of His authority, His presence, His peace, and His faith. For me, these are the most satisfying aspects of growing into age in Christ.

While you are there, perhaps we could talk a bit longer about some curiosities of aging. Hear this part song lyric from the late Keith Green, “My eyes are dry, my faith is old, my heart is hard, my prayers are cold” and this quotation from 20thC missionary, CT Studd, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell”. Polar opposites as you can see. Jesus, in Revelation, admonishes the church in Ephesus because they had lost their first love. This is common in the Christian life and not just in the elderly. So while I have laboured on insignificance above, I want to bring some consolation about significance. When our prayers are cold and we have run out of enthusiasm for the lost it is commendable to attempt to resurrect them by our own abilities. This is how we are educated and what is expected of us, but we mustn’t. Let me mention what happened to me recently. I had been praying, beseeching, pleading with the Lord to release me in the Spirit. I had been doing this for about a year on most days. My confidence, on receiving from Him by faith and thanksgiving, was established by His word whereby He exhorts us to do so and therefore He must honour His word. So, I was sitting in a crowded hall waiting for a meeting to begin when a most beautiful peace, His peace, settled upon me and with His words to my mind, “all things are possible”. And, I could see immediately that this was the reality of the spiritual life. You know, Jonathan Edwards said, “reality is greater than truth”. A profound insight, and one explanation for it may be that spiritual reality bypasses our intellect.

Therefore, if we want significance for Him, whereby He can get glory out of us by what we say to others, our prayer vigour, our service, our devotion to Him, then we are encouraged to seek Him out even when we least feel like it. We can ask Him to take us from where we are, even a “slough of despond”, into an important and significant place where we know our words are guided and inspired by Him, where we are aware of His leading in prayer and His strength in service and sacrifice. We will be bold, courageous, in authority, spontaneous, overcomers – people of His faith. So, if this applies to you, maybe just one person in the congregation, don’t give God any rest. Press into Him every day, read the Bible until you love it, worship Him in posture and your words. Step into your youth, your first love and He will get glory out of you.

When our music team learnt the Rend Collective song “Boldly I Approach”, there was some great discussion about the lyrics and what some of the imagery in the song means. We were discussing the line “This is the art of celebration, knowing we’re free from condemnation”.

It comes across as really the climax of the whole song – in fact, the song actually has the subtitle “The Art of Celebration” and it was released on Rend Collective’s album of the same name. So they must think it’s pretty special. So, what do I think this song line means? Perhaps it might be helpful to think about the song line the other way around… “Knowing we’re free from condemnation, this is the art of celebration”. Or, perhaps let’s ask the questions “What are we celebrating?” and “Why is it an art?”

Romans 8:1-2 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” This is what we are celebrating! If you know and trust Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then there is no condemnation for the things you have done wrong. Why? Because when Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment that you and I deserve. Therefore, payment has been made and the debt cancelled. And when Jesus stands before God as our Advocate, He is not asking for mercy, He is claiming justice – that is, that Christ already paid the debt, and it would be unjust for God to take two payments for the crime. Therefore, by grace we are set free and can boldly approach our heavenly Father – treading where angels fear to tread – knowing we are not condemned. Amen! Let’s celebrate!

But wait. Sometimes, I don’t feel in the mood. Sometimes, the circumstances around me are distracting. Sometimes, even though I know God forgives me and doesn’t condemn me, I condemn me, and I can’t forgive myself. This is why celebration is an art – like any art-form, it has to be learnt. Because, quite often we need to find joy and celebrate despite our feelings or circumstances or our own condemnation. I need to choose to worship God. Choose to pray. Choose to approach Him – trusting that even though I wouldn’t embrace me, His arms are open wide just longing for me to run to Him and find in Him everything that I need.

So where do we get that kind of joy? As described in his spiritual auto-biography called “Surprised by Joy”, C. S. Lewis experienced surges of joy throughout his life. But, for a long time, he couldn’t quite pin point what it was. Joy was always something that was just beyond the reach of whatever it was that triggered the feeling of joy. Lewis at last realised that joy wasn’t a thing that he could seek out or make happen, and that the more he tried, the faster it went away. He began to realise that joy is like any other emotion: If you consider the emotion itself, you stop considering the thing that produces the emotion, and so the emotion ceases. The emotion is the by-product of the experience of contemplation. But what was he contemplating to produce the feeling of joy? He found that it was no longer in the material things he had previously found it. Instead, he realised that these things reminded him of something else that he couldn’t quite name. Lewis saw joy as a longing for something which the world can’t contain – but one that in itself is only a signpost pointing at the greater reality that is God.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Think about what Jesus has done for you. Think about it some more. And when you’ve done that, think about what Jesus has done for you. Often when I focus on the cross, I start to cry. And it’s sad to think about Jesus being killed so horrifically. But, when we think about what that death achieved and the fact it ended in His victorious resurrection, those tears become tears of joy. That joy and the peace that comes with it is one that surpasses all feelings, all circumstances, and all understanding. And that gives us cause to celebrate.

That is the art of celebration.

The whole world is worth less to a man than his soul. What if we were talking about less than the whole world. What about just a sizeable chunk of the world? Houses, cars, yachts, maybe a private jet or two, jewellery, gold and diamonds... That seems like a pretty impressive collection to possess. Yet Jesus said ones soul is worth more than even all those possessions. Many have come to understand that one can be surrounded by opulence and comfort, and yet still have a vast desert in the depths of their heart and soul.

Now, here is the challenge. What kind of person, if they really thought it through, would put accumulating these possessions ahead of the health of their soul? And yet, so many are willing to do just that.

Many people seem focused on getting as much as they can get, working themselves to the point of exhaustion, sometimes ignoring family and relationships, and with that, not darkening the doors of a church, and all for grasping at the illusion that one more possession, or one more thing, will bring joy to their soul. If things were to bring satisfaction, we should have been the most satisfied generation in all history. But it is clear we are not.

In partial recognition of the above, many are getting the revelation of work/life balance. They are starting to understand that success is not worthwhile if ones mental health crumbles, physical health fails, loving relationships dissolve and they find themselves sitting alone and broken, but surrounded by the newest and the latest and the shiniest of gadgets. This might be a good recognition to come to, but there needs to be more than that.

Jesus was saying that our soul ought be in tune with God and our spirit made alive by him. With that relationship secured and flourishing, we can from there, live out our daily life and aspirations. Secure in our life with Him, sins forgiven by Gods grace, our soul in His hands, and being guided and led by the Holy Spirit, the rest of our life can begin to find proper order. It is Gods plan that we live calm and peaceful lives that emanate out of a good and proper relationship with Him.

So the work/life journey has a starting point, and that is a good, solid, warm relationship with the Lord. As that relationship starts, develops, and finds its proper expression, one moves into that place where Gods word and presence and power give direction to us.

The peace of God becomes a guiding factor in our lives. It can be the sort of peace that might flash red lights in a situation, saying dont go there, or amber lights saying slow down a bit in this situation, or green lights saying go for it. Jesus said that the peace He gives, is different from the sort of peace that the world gives.

The apostle Paul also knew the extremes of having lots and great abundance, but also having nothing and fearing for life itself. He said that he had learned to be at peace whether up on high, or down in the depths. He could say this because he knew his soul was safe in the hands of the Lord.

We also can be at that place of resting in Gods hands, safe in His grace for every situation, confident in His power to keep us, and expectant that He will never leave us abandoned and without resources. Our starting point to get to this is confidently entrusting our soul to His care, and from there, living out our life in this material world.

Friend, be encouraged that God wants you to prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

The immensely popular BBC Television science-fiction series Dr. Who, which has been screened almost continuously since 1963, features a space-travel/time-machine called the TARDIS. On the outside, the TARDIS looks like a small, 1930s-style police call box, barely large enough to fit two people. But, when the Doctor and/or his associates insert the key and enter through the narrow door, they find themselves in a spacious, futuristic environment, equipped with buttons, levers, flashing lights, and gizmos that can whisk them almost instantly to the planet and the time of their choice.

Life in the Spirit is something like that. It may not look very attractive or promising to the uninitiated but, take one step over the threshold and you are ushered into an entirely different dimension. As you enter this new realm, you realise something about the world you just left it had a virtual reality aspect to it that was indiscernible when you were in it.  You also realise something about this new world; it is bigger, brighter, and more real than you had ever imagined.

Life in the Spirit is about an adventure with God (and no adventure is without some sort of risk). It will require us to let go of all those things that we commonly depend upon for our security, status, a sense of identity in the world, and comfort. 

Life in the Spirit is about developing that relationship with God which began with our conversion, and regeneration through repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is about loving God with our whole heart, trusting him completely, and being led by the Spirit, day by glorious day and moment by precious moment.

Life in the Spirit is not so much about laying aside our wrongs (we did that at repentance remember?) but about laying down our rights. It is about the cheerful and total abandonment of ourselves to Gods will. It is a recognition that all that we have and all that we are belongs not to us, but to the One who redeemed us with the blood of His dear Son. It is the recognition that we own nothing that this world affords, but neither do we lack anything of any lasting value. It is the recognition that each new day is a gift from God, to be used for him and his glory. Each breath is a gift and, without Christ, we have nothing and are nothing.

Life in the Spirit is a reality when we understand what Paul meant when he said, In Him we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28 NKJV)   

The fullness of God is something that we see in Christ and His Apostles. We desire it, but most of us never attain it. We may long to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. We may desire to speak prophetically and reveal the secrets of mens hearts. We may dream of confronting the powers of darkness and expelling demons from the oppressed. We read in the Scriptures that those who believe in Christ can do the works that He did and, because we are not experiencing it ourselves we become frustrated or disillusioned.

Watching children and grandchildren grow and develop can be quite illuminating. Toddlers see parents doing something interesting and immediately they want to participate. Allowing them to do so might be good for them but might equally lead to disaster. Similarly, we might think we are ready to step out in faith and do something significant for God but unless He sees that we are ready (not simply willing) the power and the anointing will be absent.

Being ready necessarily includes dying daily to our own desires and ambitions. It requires a wholehearted desire to only do Gods will and to do it His way. It demands that we resolutely turn our backs on the world and earnestly seek Gods kingdom and His righteousness. It demands the believers life, the believers soul, and the believers all. And when we consider how much Christ gave for us, how could we give any less?

A moment ago, Maggie felt completely normal. Listening to the soft keyboard playing, she was happy and still, standing in her pew, eyes closed, silently pondering her Lord. But a word had suddenly popped into her head. Cradle.

Cradle.

Cradle?

She tried to dismiss it. Why am I thinking about the word cradle? It makes no sense. She tried resuming her silent worship. But the word wouldnt go away. And now she started seeing a cradle. Imagining it sitting there, in front of her eyes, behind her eyelids. It started taking on detail, shadows and texture. She explored it with her minds eye. All the while, trying to make sense of what it might mean.

Why this word? What does it mean? Why cant I think of anything else? This cradle before me why dont I want to look away? I wonder whats in it?

Her mind zoomed in on the cradle, but there was nothing in it. A little straw perhaps. But thats because it looks like a manger and my imagination is putting the straw there surely.

Then, out of nowhere, another thought came to her. A little voice that seemed to say Im using you. And your imagination. Go with it. And then the thought took her further and said, Talk about it. Explain it to My people.

She grew hot. In an instant a mere heartbeat, her body had turned into a sweltering oven. Red hot pumping blood began throbbing loudly in her ears, it was a wonder no one else nearby could hear it. Her stomach fluttered and her hands grew clammy. And her chest! If whoever was in there could stop hammering the inside wall of her heart with all their might, she would have appreciated it greatly. She knew soon... She knew He was telling her to speak. To let her... silly little idea come trickling out... But all she had was one word and the image of a lone cradle. How could she explain it when she didnt understand it herself?

This random thought that had just come to her out of the blue, was it even from God? Or was it just her distracted mind wandering, getting carried away? Cradle wasnt a particularly new or unusual word. Some would even say it was a bit cliché. Especially with the straw. It was pretty ordinary. Surely anything she had to say about it wasnt going to be new or enlightened or profound. Everyone knew all the symbolic connotations that came with the idea of a cradle. Its been done before.

She kept quiet. Shed made a resolve. She wouldnt say anything.

The nerves settled down a bit, thankfully. She breathed in a deep, shaky breath...

Cradle.

The word came again, like someone knocking persistently on the door instead of giving up and leaving her alone.

The cradles image came back again. Zooming in, slowly

Make room.

Whoa. Okay. That was new.

Say it. Speak.

She held onto her breath for a few brief moments...

Then, in the next moment, she heard her own voice. Speaking! Out loud! She hadn't planned what she was going to say!

What am I doing?!

But God spoke to His church that day. Maggie remembered afterwards how confident and sure her words had been. And the words did come, she didnt just repeat the word cradle, cradle, cradle like a moron. A few seconds after opening up her mouth, a little message unpacked itself and words from somewhere (she knew exactly where) came dancing and skipping pleasantly out and bounced off the walls and into open hearts. There hadnt been many words, and she couldn't even remember now everything she had said. But whatever it was, and as much as she knew she hadnt planned it, a certain Someone sure had.

One of the older ladies, who sits up the back and sometimes knits, came to her during morning tea in tears.

I am thank you for that word this morning. I dont I just thank you. She breathed and clasped Maggies arm with her delicate, shaking hand. I needed to hear that this morning.