encouragement from someone who has been through the fire

Tag: worship

  • Solitude

    Recently our church house group has begun studying a practice known as solitude. It is similar to meditation I guess, involving focussing on a few breath cycles, stilling the mind and letting any thoughts pass by. We are trying to focus our attention in a peaceful state on God. We close our eyes and simply wait. The trick is not to try and force or control anything, but simply to be still and wait expectantly. It is initially proving more difficult than I thought it would be. Time moves very slowly. For me, all sorts of thoughts, pictures, stresses and plans swirl around. We have been learning that the trick is not to fight these but simply notice them and move on.

    To be honest, when we were starting to discuss this series, I was highly sceptical of it. Defensive and evasive even. I’m not sure why exactly. It has been developed, in part, by a well-known preacher, John Mark Comer. I trust his teaching and my friends in the group who organised the study.

    Five days in it is not only not as strange as I initially thought it might be, it’s quite exciting. As an introvert I have no issue of spending time on my own. But I’m realising more and more that these moments spent by myself, with closed eyes, open hands and heart, being still and reverent before my King, I’m far from alone.

  • A higher throne

    A higher throne

    With all the changes in the world over the last few months politically, it can be easy to be confused, unsettled, worried or even overwhelmed and afraid. I read somewhere recently that in 2024 over a third of the world held national elections. Many of these elections threw up interesting results, some surprises and even upheaval and huge changes. I am not alone at being concerned by some of these. In some cases, frightened. But for all the positions of power that changed hands, some for the better, some less so, I have been reminded that there is always a higher power than all the kingdoms, republics, and nations here on earth. No matter who is elected and where, their power is only going to be short lived. Some rulers seem to be a law unto themselves, but they are not untouchable or without accountability. There is a higher throne. One that can never be shaken or overthrown.

    This throne belongs to Jesus. He is the only truly just and perfect ruler, and his kingdom has, and will have no end. When we are tempted to worry, panic or even despair, we need only remember this truth. His heavenly throne room overlooks the world with ultimate authority and power, but also with tender gentleness and grace.

    There is a higher throne than all this world has known. It will never be shaken. It will never fall.

    If we trust Him, we have nothing to fear in people, regardless of what positions of authority they possess.

    We simply need to go about our lives, sharing the love and care we have come to know. Jesus will take care of the rest.