Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
It is strange how different people react to God’s call. The Bible has examples of every type of response. For example, Samuel, prompted by Eli, says “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.” 1Samuel 3:9 (AKJV) whilst Jonah runs as fast as he can in the opposite direction (Jonah1:1-3 AKJV). I have to admit that when God called me to write this blog and publish it on the World Wide Web my reaction was akin to Jeremiah who pleaded immaturity. Who would want to read what I have written? I asked. Anyway I am not qualified. But God in the form of an online friend gently reminded me that God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called. And so the blog began some four years ago. (Many thanks to those who have followed me faithfully since then, by the way.)
Well, you would think that was enough for an old man of my age but no! Let me explain: A year or so back a friend took a Course in Christian Studies run by the Diocese. At the time I did not think that this was for me and, indeed, perhaps I was not ready to undertake it then, but God does not work to our human time frame. Recently He drew my attention to the Diocesan website where this year’s Course was advertised. It took a lot of discussion and prayers with trusted friends and family, but I have now signed up for the two year course starting in September. I have no idea how it will turn out or where it will lead. Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk obviously felt the same way for he wrote the following prayer: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. Please pray for me on my journey in faith for it seems that God has not finished with me yet, He has a plan for me and I believe He has one for you too. The question then is: How will you respond to His call?
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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