Every Day with Jesus

Last August we opened Waverley Abbey’s Café at weekends. It was wonderful to welcome our local Farnham neighbours, and others, to enjoy the hospitality and renewal the House and Abbey afford.

The Bible sets high standards (vv3–4). I’ve spoken empty words far too often. Knowing where my mind has taken me, and where I’ve let myself down under peer pressure and personal preference, it is grace alone on which I remain totally dependent.

Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth. But we know His life will end in apparent despair and real desolation. Jesus revealed God’s purpose by always doing His Father’s bidding (John 5:19). Jesus tells us to obey the Father, with Scripture to guide us. Our challenge? Discerning God’s will and purpose.

Heritage lies at the heart of Waverley Abbey. The earliest mention of Farnham is in a 688 charter when Cædwalla, King of Wessex, gave land to two or three monks for a monastery. This became a ‘mother’ church for the area and recent work has revealed a small church under St Andrew’s parish church.

Recently Jayne woke aware of silent movement in the bedroom. She put on a light to see a bat flying above her. Knowing they navigated by echolocation using ultrasound, she turned off the light and went back to sleep.* The bat was gone by morning.

Light is ‘the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible’, something that excites the human visual system.* Without light we cannot see where we’re going (Matt. 15:14). We can’t find our way since we’re consumed in darkness, impotent in determining direction. This is both isolating and frightening. But, in the darkness, we can only await the dawn, a fresh shaft of divine light to...

Many people use an Advent wreath and light a candle for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The tradition is said to have been recommended by Martin Luther for families to use in their home as they instructed the family on the coming of Christ and encouraged them to live in hope and expectation of His return.*

If honest, each of us has overreacted to a situation, judged someone unfairly, misinterpreted the tone of an email or social media post, and taken something personally when it wasn’t meant that way. The art of pausing and ‘counting to ten’ has been all but lost as opinions and comments are sprayed like machine gun bullets across the blogosphere.

Waiting is challenging. Children often find the last few days leading up to Christmas unbearable. They sense the excitement, yet there is nothing they can do to speed its arrival.

Lighthouses have existed since Egyptian times.* Their purpose is to warn sailors of fatal danger. John the Baptist was a human lighthouse. Confident in his calling he chose a distinct path to express his message preparing people for the ministry of Jesus. He knew his identity and lived his purpose boldly.

Life’s a gift! It offers us the chance to go in search of meaning, to make peace with ourselves and life itself. Life offers us options but insight and understanding, come from one enduring origin, God, creator of all. We must find trust in our ability and belief that we can successfully face many daily demands for our confidence to grow.

The word Advent is from the Latin, one meaning is ‘glorious arrival’, speaking of the incarnation, and Christ’s future return. For each of us there is some arrival point where we encounter Christ; the time at which we choose to follow God’s way in how we live our life.

The incarnation, the event that we celebrate each Christmas, was a surprise to all but God. Mary was invited by an angel to give herself to God in the divine conception of Jesus. She had no foreknowledge, and enjoyed little time to decide if to agree or not.

Today is the first day of Advent. It introduces our seasonal Christmas preparation. Known as the lesser fast, it offers disciples an opportunity to prepare their hearts for Jesus; not simply focusing upon remembering the incarnation, but more looking towards Christ’s return (Mark 13:26).

Understanding comes from God, and we are invited to go in search of it. Once we understand something we are able to make sense of it, both for ourselves and others. Peter declares, ‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect’ (1 Pet. 3:15).

Lockdown reintroduced us to isolation. Normal social life was overnight replaced with living under our own roof, with workplace, shops and cafés no longer available. Many found they struggled with their health and wellbeing.

Augustine of Hippo writes, ‘there will come days of tribulations, and greater tribulations...Let no-one promise himself what the gospel does not promise’.* We do not give thanks for an avoidance of trouble; we give thanks to God for provision through the trouble itself. It’s what Walter Brueggemann helpfully describes as, ‘the move from disorientation to new orientation’.

It might seem a considerable demand to request a heart fully committed to God. In the past, I’ve assumed it’s what I do for God that somehow establishes my Christian credentials. Yet, in a season when I was brought very low, I found God present regardless of my inability to do anything. I was 27 and collapsed with physical exhaustion.

What makes for the good life? There are many recipes on offer. Background, peer pressure and, increasingly, media play a significant part in shaping our opinion. It takes a self-assured individual to stand their ground on things they believe to be best for their life in the face of noisy opposition.

How many of us know we have received this direct invitation from Jesus: ‘follow me’? These two simple words are found 13 times in the Gospels. In response, the first disciples left what they were doing and chose Jesus.

This past week we have identified some of the overtures God makes in inviting us to follow Him, whatever our circumstances or presence of mind. Yet, even if we turn a blind eye and reject them, God will never give up on us. His whole purpose is to seek and find us and bring us back into friendship through the Spirit (Luke 15:3–7).

God’s infinitude is mirrored in the countless ways we can choose to meet Him. It’s easy to fall into a habitual style in our approach to God. However, we know that relationships can waste away when treated as a duty, for familiarity breeds contempt.

Salvation means to be rescued from danger, loss and harm. Mum always advised me to keep out of harm’s way, words I frequently failed to heed. We’re wired to seek safety ahead of danger; an instinct that grows stronger as we age. Today I’m more risk averse and aware of potential dangers than ever.

At times, we feel the weight of life heavy upon our shoulders. It takes the edge off everything. There are remedies, many quite debilitating. Those in management roles tell me they get home and reach for a glass of wine to relax them. I’m not critical, I’ve had my flirtations with alcohol dependence, both the buzz and to quieten my anxiety.

Jesus’ earthly life reveals that no one can avoid pain. As we age we observe, and draw encouragement from the fact that many build their testimony to God’s presence in life’s storms.