By Craig McKellar
President Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday evening that churches will be able to meet, up to a maximum of fifty people with normal Covid restrictions adhered to, from the 1st June onwards. The reaction to this concession is mixed, with those in favour and others vehemently opposed, both in church and non-church circles. Odyssey will issue a formal response on Monday after we have consulted with all our leaders. In the meantime we remind ourselves that more important than ‘winning the argument’, ‘proving my point’ or ‘expressing my opinion’ is the need to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Rather “do justice…love kindness and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). We should be asking for “wisdom” from “God, who gives generously, and it will be given him without reproach” (James 1:5). James is speaking in the context of facing “trials of various kinds” (1:2).
There is nothing like trials, tests and temptations to expose the flaws in our characters and the cracks in our foundations. This pandemic, lockdown and the associated results can produce a potential cauldron of explosive emotions and reactions. They are not always pretty, and we shock ourselves, asking, “Now where did that come from?” But these moments also produce an opportunity to draw close to God, knowing He is not standing in judgment over us but wanting to pour out His grace which teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness (Titus 2:12 NIV). “But he gives more grace” (James 4:6) to those who ask in humility. More grace than our vain thoughts, more grace than our ugly words, more grace than our pathetic indifference, more grace than our prideful stance…if we will just acknowledge these things and ask. More is always greater than the sum of all the parts, bigger than any sized problem, over and above what we can bring. More grace in the generosity of God means His grace always more than covers whatever we face or hold within. You cannot outdo God’s grace!
Imagine if every follower of Jesus took to social media asking, “How can I show kindness, be gentle in response, pursue peace, stay patient, remain joyful and express love today?” Paul reminds the church that hostility, “strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy” are not things associated with the kingdom of God, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal. 5:20-26). We are recipients of God’s mercy so that the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, could take up residence in our heart. It is His fruit that is borne through our lives when we draw on His grace. As we remind ourselves of His kindness, patience, goodness, love, etc. towards us when we were undeserving, impatient, overbearing, stubborn and proud, we can go to Him and “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). And this is a “time of need.”
Here is a poem I wrote recently in lockdown and then one by Paul Tripp to meditate on regarding God’s sufficiency in the light of our weaknesses.
Seeing Blind by Craig McKellar
When I think I am so smart
I can’t see with the eyes of my heart
I am never so blind when I think I am right
‘cos you see that’s what blinds me to the light
The blind call out, “Let me show you the way”
But they don’t know the difference between night and day
The blind leading the blind is how it will always be
Unless Another removes their scales to see
When I think I am so smart
I can’t see with the eyes of my heart
It’s only when pride bends it knee
That my heart can begin to really see
Justice makes a demand because the Law always stands
But merciful love offers a choice with open hands
We all know we are sinners needing to be set free
But it’s His love that caused me to bend my knee
When I think I am so smart
I can’t see with the eyes of my heart
He doesn’t want us to live apart
So His love wins over my prideful heart
“God is love” and “God is Holy” too
Both reasons are why He died for you
To satisfy justice that demands a penalty
He hung with my sin on that tree
So He could share His unique love
Which comes only from above.
Tired by Paul Tripp
I was very tired today----
tired of the travail,
tired of trying and failing,
tired of relationships broken,
tired of promises unfulfilled,
tired of hopes evaporating,
tired of dreams dying,
tired of meaningless “I love yours,”
tired of body inability,
tired of heart weakness,
tired of hoping. . .
praying. . .
trying. . .
committing. . .
longing. . .
confessing. . .
repenting. . .
working. . .
and failing.
Today I am tired,
but I have not forgotten
that you never tire.
You are never discouraged.
You are never “at the end of your rope.”
You never long to quit.
You never want to “move on.”
You never regret what you have done.
You never hope to do better.
You are never caught up short.
You are never weak.
You are never surprised.
You never wished you’d done better.
You are not like me,
and that is very good news.
When I am tired
I remember you,
and once again I tell myself
that you are not like me,
and all
that you are,
you are for me
by grace.