While I am cautious about the practise
of applying for oneself verses of Scripture, given in one context or to a
particular people, it did seem strangely apposite that on the day when I gave
up the secular employment to work full time in a mission (for a fraction of my
former salary) the text on my calendar was “You
shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace” (Isaiah
55:12 AV). I have to say, looking
back over the years, that although there have been times of deep sorrow there
has also been a lot of joy.
Some years ago, when interviewing
someone for a senior position in a Christian context, we asked the candidate if
he could tell us what he considered to be his weaknesses. He paused, and then said, “I’m told that I could smile more often”. His unexpected response was not
inappropriate. Sometimes I think that I should
smile more often. It is all too easy to
become intensely serious about Christian ministry and mission, and obscure the
joy.
You may have heard me say, or have read
previously, one of my favourite stories about a Church Secretary who was
supposed to meet a visiting preacher at a train station. Unfortunately, he found himself repairing his
car and not in a fit state to meet the guest.
He therefore gave his young son the name of the man and sent him off to
the station to meet him.
On the way the boy forgot the name but
reasoned that the person he would be meeting would be wearing a clerical collar
and so easy to spot. The appropriate
train arrived and the boy scanned the passengers alighting but failed to see
anyone wearing a clerical collar. Undeterred,
the boy reasoned that the visiting preacher would be carrying a black
briefcase. But there were several men
carrying black briefcases. He looked at
them carefully and selected one who he thought looked possible.
“Excuse
me sir,” he said, “Are you our visiting preacher?” The man looked
at him kindly and said, “No son, it’s
indigestion makes me look like this”!
Of course, our lives are touched by
times of sadness, but in the darkest of valleys there should still be a spring
of joy bubbling somewhere. The word, happiness,
I am informed has a root word meaning chance.
Therefore, happiness is a state of mind affected by circumstances. Whereas joy, for a Christian, comes from the deep
assurance that God has hold of us no matter what happens, and only wants the
best for us. Such assurance lifts us up out of the mire of despair.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians,
written from prison, is notable for its general joyfulness. Paul
encourages them to rejoice. He
writes about being content whatever his circumstances. His trust and hope in God is evident. I wonder whether his mind went back to the
first time he and Silas came to the city and were falsely accused and landed up
in jail. You will remember what happened
when they started to sing
hymns at midnight.
Dear reader, if your present
circumstances weigh heavily at this time, please do not try to work up some
joy. That is impossible. But please rest in the knowledge that God
loves you more than you could possibly understand. The very worst we could experience in this
life is still only temporal. The writer
of the letter to the Hebrews tells us that even Jesus in his darkest moment,
was able to endure the cross for
the joy that was set before him. Don’t
lose your confidence in God and the joy that “comes in the morning”. May God
grant you is peace and gentle joy.
A few years ago there was a report from
many quarters that the moving of the Holy Spirit was making people laugh. I was sceptical until, in a meeting and standing
next to a young woman in physical pain, I was suddenly aware of her shoulders
shaking as she was overwhelmed with joy and could not resist laughing. Looking back, I can recall others who had
encounters with God that caused irresistible mirth. Isn’t joy part of the fruit
of the Spirit?
I wonder sometimes what people passing by
think of us when we come out from a church service. Does our demeanour communicate that knowing God
and salvation is something to smile about?
Once when going to a church for the
first time in the middle of a bitter winter I was shown into the choir vestry
before the start of the service. I had
been sitting in a very cold minister’s vestry and on the way saw a small
congregation clearly feeling cold in the sanctuary. The choir vestry, by contrast, was warm and
cosy, so I suggested that perhaps we should invite the congregation to join
us. Most of the choir laughed, until a
sonorous voice intoned, “Can we remember where we are”! That certainly set the tone for the service!
If you are a miserable sinner, please
become a joyful saint. It will do you
good and probably bless others. I pray
that you will have a really joyful Sunday this weekend.
From
the Diary
This Sunday evening (17th)
will be my first time ministering at Welby Lane Mission, Melton Mowbray.
I took two school assemblies this past
week. One was my final visit to the
school following my retirement from the pastorate at Yelvertoft. I found that they had prepared a scrap book
full of post-its on which children and staff had written such amazing things.
Many said how much they enjoyed my assemblies but there were also references to
things I had taught them which they had remembered, and a thanks for telling
them more about Jesus. Doreen said that
she was moved to tears as she read what they had written. Your prayers for my schoolwork contributed to
this, so thank you.
On Tuesday morning this week (19th)
I shall take part in a video meeting of the Churches Rural Group, before going
on my regular visit to HMP Gartree.
Please keep praying for more men to join the choir.
On Thursday (21st) I will be
back in Sussex to take the funeral of an elderly lady who was a member when I
was minister at Herstmonceux Free Church.
Please pray for the family as I seek to share the Christian hope on this
occasion.
Next Sunday (24th) I will be
taking the Family Service for Goodwood Evangelical Church, Leicester, and as I write,
I am praying for a musician as their excellent team will be away.
If you have been praying for Elizabeth
Ingram and me as we seek to manage a difficult situation for which we are
trustees, then thank you. We had a
useful meeting with a solicitor and barrister in Eastbourne this week. Sometimes, doing the right think is not
comfortable but responsibility should not be shirked. Please keep praying for grace and wisdom.
Having stepped down from pastoral leadership
at Yelvertoft I am not desperate to fill my diary every weekend. Some bookings have come in and I hope to use
this new situation to get back to some churches I have not been able to visit
for some time. Please feel free to
contact me if you think I might be of service to you and your church.
Finally, I would like to send you back
to Isaiah
chapter 55. It is rich with
wonderful words. Which one blesses you
the most?
Thank you for your support and
encouragement,
Barry
15th July 2016
15th July 2016
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