Discipleship: One2One
An update on our Discipleship program.
As many of you know, the church has engaged in a one-to-one discipleship initiative, led by me, Raymond McClure. The purpose is to help members of our congregation to talk about things like calling, to offer pastoral support and care, and to journey together through the Bible.
Over the last number of months, I have had the privilege of meeting with a few of our congregation and what a blessing it has been to pray together, read God’s word together, and to discern what God might be saying or doing in our lives.
I met with one parishioner recently (who wishes to remain nameless), and I was blown away by something they shared with me. To give you some context, I set a task for them to write down some of the moments they saw God in their lives. The aim was to become more aware of the things He was doing in the ordinary and the day-to-day. This is what they shared;
Heavenly Father, I look out at this Autumn Day and I see the vivid red leaves of the creeper, bathed in golden light. The window boxes are filled with blue and purple flowers, and they nod gently in the breeze. I am filled with wonder, awe and praise at the beauty which surrounds me. Beauty which you have wrought with your fingertips. Each flower is so tiny. Each flower is so delicate, fragile, and perfect in detail.
You call me to stop . . . to pause. . . to linger. . . And my soul cries out in unison with creation. . .
“My God, How Great Thou Art!”
As I was in the hall helping at one of the Church programs, the curtain of the stage was pulled back. I could taste the dust in the air. The screen went up. To the left of the stage, amid the confused jumble of items from leftover events, there was your Cross, Jesus.
There was no mistaking it. It was tall. . . It was silent. . . A wooden cross, rough and foreboding. . . . I was surprised to see it there , tidied away. . .
That’s what we do Jesus. . . we tidy you away, nearly in the corner.
I was surprised to see you there. . . but I met with you there. . . At the back of the stage.
It was as if you tugged my sleeve and made me stop in the midst of the busyness. You made me ponder.
That’s the second time in 10 days you have caught me by surprise.
Another time was on holiday in Spain. We went into the chapel in San Sebastián. Nothing special from the outside . . . but there you were. . . In an alcove to the left. . . You were wearing a crown of thorns, and draped in faded scarlet robes. In mockery, a wooden stick was laid onto your hands in place of a sceptre. There was no mistaking your regal presence. your kingly bearing. . . Painted eyes of pain and compassion.
I was afraid to meet your gaze, your eyes. . .
You tugged at me
You tugged at my heart
You made me stop
“Remember what I did for you on the cross. . . Remember me. . . Remember:”
So. . . as we hide you lord. At the side of a stage. . . behind the litter of life. Tidied away behind a curtain so we don’t have to remember the huge price you paid for me. . . for us. . . I hear the words. . .
“Remember me”
When I read those words, I was immediately aware of the presence of the Lord. This parishioner had been so honest and truthful in their experience with the Lord that it was unmistakable that they had met with Jesus in those moments.
My prayer for all who read this is that we, too, would find Jesus in those moments of our lives where we least expect Him. That we would be so aware of His presence that it is unavoidable. Because in His presence there is beauty for ashes, joy in exchange for sorrow, and peace that surpasses understanding.
May the Lord richly bless you.