It's the day of the referendum. For me, it's time to vote yes. Why?
Because I don't like the rest of Britain? No.
Because I'm a bit crazy and love taking risks? No.
Because I think than an independent Scotland will be a beautiful utopia? No.
Because I think that oil will put meals on tables up and down the country? No.
Because I've watched Braveheart too many times? No. (Well, a wee bit yes.)
Why then?
Because I believe Scotland, as a nation, a country rich in many ways, should govern itself entirely? Yes.
Because, while acknowledging the good that came from the empire, I'm not a fan of imperial Britain and much of what it has done? Yes.
Because I think that although there may be difficulties, that ultimately independence will prove more fruitful in the long term with new opportunities for arts, business, politics, sports, education and health? Yes.
Because I think that an independent Scotland will have many Gospel opportunities as nominal Christian heritage is left behind? Yes.
Because I hope and pray that an independent Scotland will have a louder voice in the world for good than it does at present? Yes.
So, time to #voteyes.
But I'm thankful and find comfort in that it is all entirely in the hands of the sovereign creator and sustainer of the entire universe. Whatever happens, God is faithful and just: the dependable rock in the midst of chaos and change. I pray that there will continue to be peace in our land. And I pray continually that the people of Scotland might be woken from slumber by the call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a light to all nations.
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it"
Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
Let's seek mercy and grace for Scotland from the true and living God, in whose hands our nation's future truly lies.
At Millport yesterday I was struck by how so much changes over years, but rocks I played on as a youngster haven't really changed at all.
I would spend hours clambering over these rocks on a great adventure. Sometimes I'd jump off them into the surrounding water, other times I'd just be looking into the water, hoping to see some crabs or other sea life.
Yesterday I was back on the island with my own son, and yet the rocks still looked as they did when I was a kid. The same overall shape. Some of the same footholds that I'd used all those years previously to climb up higher.
Guess that's why we can call God our rock. He doesn't change ever. He's constant. He's faithful. He's powerful. He's solid. He's continually dependable.
But those Millport rocks aren't indestructible. One day they will break down, be destroyed. They don't stand on their own power. They too are subject, just like the rest of creation, to the mighty creator. He alone is indestructible.
And yet it is in Christ's destruction that I can have any way of knowing him. He took my place of destruction that I might be lifted to stand firm on the true, solid rock.
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Psalm 18:2
'Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s commands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; thou must save, and thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to thee for dress; helpless, look to thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.' Augustus Toplady SDG!
A year where we've been introduced to a whole new world
filled with Aptimil, jumperoos, bath toys, Sudocrem, Snufflebabe, Mr Tumble,
more tiredness than ever, more fun than ever, Calpol, Ella's kitchen, Lamaze,
snug seats, endless bogies, and stair gates. Immense fun.
A beautiful child. A belter of a dude.
A phenomenal gift from God.
A day for giving thanks and praise to the glorious
creator, sustainer and redeemer of all. The source of all life. The source of
true life. The source of eternal life.
"For from him and through him and to him are all
things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Romans 11:36
"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build
it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays
awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit
of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of
one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He
shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
I had 3
key resolutions: to get up early to read my Bible and pray; to pray more, and
pray often; and to make the most of my time.
That was 51
weeks ago.
Now, at
the beginning of February 2013, I’m looking back and assessing where I’ve come.
I’m in a good routine for morning Bible reading. I could still pray more. I
could still make better use of my time.
There have
been times to just be: paddling in the glorious sunshine on the Isle of Lewis, walking
up the beautiful Birks of Aberfeldy, sitting in a sauna sweating, walking on
bright and frosty mornings, gobbling Christmas dinner with the family. Blissful
being. Still more seldom than I’d like.
There’s
been more than enough doing: times away with youth groups, packing boxes,
moving house and opening boxes, playing and recording music, giving talks at
ladies meetings (a new venture this year – wee old dears are always
appreciative, it’s great), midwife appointments (first child due in 12 weeks!).
Plenty doing – it keeps me moving.
I’m always thinking, but I still
rarely put thoughts together. I’ve actually started taking notes on my phone
with the aim of then coming here to put them together. There’s actually a
potential 2 or 3 blogs on my horizon. When will I do them? We’ll see…
The first idea: Re-ignition.
Often I’ve felt that I need to
wake up. I’ve felt a need to be re-ignited.
I love to sit outside and light
up a wee fire. Sometimes just me on my own. Other times with friends and
family. Always good times.
I’ve been struck by the ease with
which a fire can reignite, even when it looks like the embers are dying. All it
takes is a moving about of a log or two, allowing the heat to rise and air to
flow, and BOOM! The fire roars again. It wakes up.
Cara put this
verse from Ephesians on the mirror in our room:
“Awake, O sleeper, and
arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14
She put it up
for two reasons. First, a quite literal ‘wake up’. I struggle with mornings, so
any encouragement is welcome. Second, that it might be a reminder to wake up
each day to God’s grace and live in his light.
Often I’m pretty
sleepy. In both senses.
Christ’s words to
the church in Sardis were a kick up the pants for me a few months ago.
“Wake up, and
strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works
complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:2-3
In the
Christian life there’s a fine line between being spiritually asleep and dead. I
know I’m alive, but I do like the snooze button. Christ called the church at
Sardis to wake up. Like a fire that appears to be dying out. Like I often need
to.
I’m in good
company though. In Gethsemane the disciples couldn’t stay awake. Lazarus was
‘asleep’. Eutychus drifted off and plummeted out a window. We all sleep at the
wrong time occasionally.
As Rage
Against The Machine’s ‘Wake Up’ rings out at the end of The Matrix, Neo flies
off, presumably to start his mission to free minds and wake others up to the
reality of the matrix. A brilliant ending to a great film.
Rage called
people to wake up to their perceived reality – that capitalism and injustice
rule, that people who speak out against the norm are victimised and that wars
have been waged wrongly, to name but a few of their grievances.
There are
elements of truth in both Rage and the Matrix.* We can get so used to life that
we fall asleep to injustice. We can get so lost in our own world that we don’t
wake up to what is out there around us. It’s all too easy to doze like this as
a Christian.
Volcanoes can
lie dormant for years, only to erupt in an instant. CPR can kick start the life
of a patient on their way out. A fire can be re-ignited with just a simple
movement of logs. Occasionally God will throw verses from the Bible at us like
the ones above to wake us up. Other times we are in too deep a doze to hear.
Prevention is
better than a cure though.
‘The Practice
of the Presence of God’ – a little book of letters from a 17th
Century monk called Brother Lawrence, made a lasting impression on me. His
ethos was to see everything as an
opportunity for worship, epitomising Paul’s exhortations to do everything and
anything to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17).
“Grow
accustomed, then, little by little thus to worship him, to ask for his grace,
to offer him your heart from time to time in the course of the day, amid your
labours, at any time you can.”
Brother
Lawrence wanted to stay awake. He loved to see all his actions as “small
occasions of fellowship with God.” Being
constantly aware of Christ’s presence in our lives will help keep us awake.
Obviously we
do literally need to sleep sometimes, I’m all for proper rest times. Ask any
athlete how important rest is. I’m not advocating a life fuelled by Red Bull
and copious amounts of coffee.
Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, will lead us to times of rest. But that’s different from being
spiritually asleep. I heard a sermon on Psalm 23 on Sunday evening. Christ
doesn’t keep us in green pastures all the time. We’ll spend time in the dark
valleys now and then, perhaps even more often. But a table is prepared in the
presence of enemies, like having a picnic in the midst of trouble. Rest will
come, even in hard times, if we trust the Shepherd. His staff – his word, will
guide us. His rod – the cross, has defeated our enemies. They are our comfort.
The cross
wakes us from darkness. The darkness of sin, of selfishness, of laziness, of
jealousy, of immorality.
The cross
gives us light to see. The light of new life, of forgiveness, of
reconciliation.
Trust in
Jesus makes this real for us. By faith we are saved. We wake up to new life.
A fire needs
to be fed for it to keep burning. Eventually, if left unattended, a fire will
just die. The Christian needs fuel to keep burning, to stay awake. The word of
God is our daily bread, our staple diet, our burning logs. The cross brings the
light that we must walk in. Seeing everything as an act of worship will keep us
alert. It helps having others around us to keep us awake too.
First though
– hear the call.
“Awake, O sleeper!”
...or as Rage
put it: “WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!!
WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!! WAKE
UP!! WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!!”
*There are
also most definitely elements that are not so helpful – Zach de la Rocha is a
pretty angry and sweary fellow. Can’t say that I endorse all that Rage stand
for, but I do love their music.
Matrix ending
with Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Wake Up’
The Practice of the
Presence of God – my version is from 1981, translated by E.M. Blaiklock. Quotes
from p42 and p68. Here’s a newer edition if you fancy a swatch -
So I’ve set up a blog. It’s called ‘Doing...Thinking...Being.’ It’s my new way
to try and focus my brain…
Sometimes I feel that life just runs
away from me. As my brother Stephen frequently says, “There’s not enough hours
in the day.” I’m frequently wishing for an extra hour, frequently wishing for
an extra day, if only to catch up with myself.
This Christmas and New Year was great
for me. There were special family times. There were lazy, late nights watching
films. There were lovely walks in the
milder-than-usual-but-still-chilly-enough-to-wear-my-new-hat air.
More than that, it was a time for me
to take stock, to re-align and re-focus, to think and process.
I’m a Christian, and I see life along
these lines:
“So,
whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
I felt that I wasn’t really doing
this. I was reminded of John Piper’s book ‘Don’t
Waste Your Life.’ I read it some years ago, and it had a considerable
impact on me then. I was struck by how much time I spend doing things that are ultimately
useless, a waste.
One of the key stories Piper shares is
of a couple who retired to Florida, to go cruising on their fancy boat, collect
shells and play softball. But what a
tragedy this is. He pictures them standing before Christ when he returns: “Look
Lord. See my shells.” Maybe for my generation it will be more like “Look Lord.
See my apps.” Tragic.
At New Year many people make
resolutions. Around that time I was looking at Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions.
He made 70, and resolved to read over them at least once a week. I feel more
than overawed when reading through them; he set some mighty high standards.
“Being sensible that I am unable to do anything
without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep
these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.”
Edwards knew that he would only be
able to keep his resolutions with God’s help. He knew that he was still far from perfect,
and sought God’s help to keep them only if they were what He endorsed. The
point was that these resolutions were made to assist Edwards in glorifying
Christ in all things.
I found out on Sunday past that William
Booth also made resolutions. He kept his to only 6, but they are no less of a
standard. I like his practical simplicity (maybe because I’m simple and like to
be practical…).
Booth’s
6 Resolutions:
1. That I will rise every morning
sufficiently early to wash, dress and have a few minutes, not less than 5, in
private prayer. 2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk, in
which I have lately so sinfully indulged. 3. That I will endeavour in my conduct and deportment before the world and my
fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a humble, meek, and zealous
follower of Christ, and by serious conservation and waning endeavour to lead
them to think of their immortal souls. 4. That I will read no less than 4 chapters in God's word every day. 5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of
heart and leave providential events with God. 6. That I will read over this everyday or at least twice a week.
As a youth worker for a busy youth
project, a band member, a husband and family member, I sometimes spend too much
of my time doing. In any spare time that I do have I often find myself at one
screen or another. Sometimes my iPhone, sometimes my laptop, sometimes my TV. I
find it all too easy to get lost in the world of Facebook, or in reading articles
about sport (particularly rugby), or in playing silly wee games.
I often think about things, but don’t
often think to a conclusion. Perhaps it’s because I crowd out thoughts with
everything else that goes on in my life. I don’t take the time out to step back
and process.
I struggle to just be sometimes. First and foremost I want to ‘be’ in
relationship with God. Since New Year I’ve started reading through ‘The One
Year Bible’ each morning. I long to spend more time in prayer and biblical
meditation or reflection.
Some of the greatest times of being
for me are when I’m out in God’s creation.
I love
sitting watching glorious sunsets. Psalm19:1-6 (ESV)
I love
going out to my back garden and having a fire. Hebrews12:28-29 (ESV)
I love
standing in a loch or sea in my wellies. Psalm 33:6-9 (NLT)
There’s more occasions, but these are
some of the things that help me to just be. To be in awe of the Creator of the
universe. Even more, to be in awe of the Creator who came into his creation, to
redeem it.
I’m at a point where I feel it’s time to get a grip. I need
to be more balanced in my doing, my thinking and my being. I want all my doing,
thinking and being to be to God’s glory.
Part of this is taking a leaf out of Edwards’ and Booth’s
books.
I’m making three key resolutions:
1.Get up early to read the bible and pray
2.Pray more, and pray often.
3.Make the most of time - plan more and use spare time in a wiser
way
I’ve been keeping a list of things I want to do better, or simply just do. They’re
in no particular order. They’re just a bunch of stuff that I feel I let slip
all too easily. Not necessarily anything deep.
·Keep the car tidy.
·Stop using my phone while on toilet
·Do dishes straight after dinner
·Read more
·Shave at least once a week (normally a Tuesday)
·Cut my hair at least once every four weeks
·Get some exercise (cut down on my pork life)
·Write things down.
·Make contact with other people (make phone calls and such like)
·Don't let two days pass without playing guitar
·Go to more rugby matches
·Do something nice for Cara at least once a week
·Learn a wee bit of Gaelic every week
·Go to bed at a reasonable time (don't just faff about for pure
ages)
·Get cycling
·Print photos
·Be less critical/cynical
·Write some music
·Watch the news sometimes
·Read this list now and then!
·Start a blog.
·Just be.
I started writing this about five weeks
ago. I think the fact it’s taken until now to finish it demonstrates exactly
what I’m thinking about.
I wish I had some more time.
I want to live for God’s glory.
I don’t want to waste my life.
I’m making some resolutions.
Knowing that I can only do any of
this by the grace of God, I pray that He will give me the strength to glorify
Him in all my doing, thinking and being.
