Category: Worship as a lifestyle

More spiritual practices for this year

Over the last few weeks, we’ve begun to look at spiritual practices that we can incorporate into our daily lives, starting with lament and how we can utilise the psalms when we need to lament ourselves. I want to round off this mini series by looking at a few more spiritual practices I have found useful over the years.

Simple one-phrase prayers

This practice is so easy to do as it really is as simple as praying a short phrase. This actually came out of a challenge that someone in the small group I was in at the time shared with us, and I have found myself coming back to it again and again in recent years. We were encouraged to pray these two simple phrases at different points: “Order my day” and “What’s the one thing?” For someone prone to self-sufficiency, the very simple act of praying “order my day” reminds me that God is in charge of my life. As I pray I sometimes visualise taking my hands off the steering wheel and allowing God to sit in the driver’s seat.

The idea of asking God to help us focus our day helps bring order – for those of us with too much to do in a day and feeling overwhelmed, but also for those for whom days stretch out endlessly and we feel lonely – asking God for that one thing he wants us to focus on brings a clarity, a focus and a closeness to him.

I have also found offering up my daily ‘to do’ list to God, and asking: “What’s the one thing you want me to focus on today?” helps me to lay all those things I might think are important before him, actively seeking what his priority is for my day. I have seen him open up some unexpected opportunities to help others that I believe I would have missed otherwise.

One word

Another ‘one’ that I’ve incorporated into my year since 2017 now, is prayerfully choosing ‘one word’ that I feel God wants me to be the focus of my year. It is a really helpful practice and, while I know many people will already have their word for the year, if you haven’t chosen one yet, do take a look at this blog where I explain how I choose my word, over on the Premier Woman Alive website.

Lectio divina

Finally, I want to share how life-enriching I have found lectio divina – in fact, the book club I run usually engages with a lectio at the start of each session and we have all come to enjoy the chance we have to slow down and really engage with the text, and with Jesus.

Lectio divina is a Latin term meaning ‘divine reading’. It is a traditional Benedictine way of reading scripture, giving time and space to really connect with it. In the 12th century the Carthusian monk Guigo II formalised the approach into four steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. The emphasis is on lingering over a passage and allowing it to affect us. It isn’t about theological study; rather it is about encountering Jesus and allowing him to speak directly to us. This approach can be done with any portion of scripture.

Utilising lectio divina

Pick a portion of scripture then use the following steps:

1. Read: Sit in a comfortable chair and relax. Take time to slowly read your chosen verses, paying attention as to whether a particular verse or phrase jumps out.

2. Meditate/Reflect: This time when you read the passage, focus particularly on the phrase (if you have one). Rather than analysing its meaning, ask Jesus what he wants to say through it. Are there any insights he wants to share with you from this passage and/or phrase?

3. Pray/Respond: Read the passage again then offer up all your feelings and responses to God in prayer. Ask Jesus for guidance on how to pray as necessary. Journalling can be helpful too. Be open to any changes that God may be instigating. This is where you can start a dialogue with God.

4. Contemplation/Rest: After a final read through of the passage, sit before God in silence. The emphasis here is on ‘being’ rather than doing.

Lament in our everyday lives

Last week, we looked at how the Bible is full of lament and God invites us to lament in our everyday lives. The practice helps us to cling on to God and, as such, is a hope-filled action. We are now going to take a closer look at psalms of lament, and how we can utilise them in our own lives.

I don’t relish the experiences that have revealed how vital lament is to me, but I do cherish the renewed understanding that God has given us permission to vent all our anger, frustration, anguish, as well as our questions. I have come to view lament as part of my survival kit.

Lent is fast approaching: this is a time in the Church calendar where we traditionally wrestle with that ‘in-between’ time of confusion and bewilderment. The disciples watched all their hope seemingly die with Jesus on the cross and on that day and Easter Saturday there is often space held to consider our own despair, before the celebrations of Resurrection Sunday.

Psalms of lament

The pandemic has brought suffering to so many families, and this life is full of troubles (as well as joys). If you don’t regularly practise lament, perhaps you could take time this Lent to explore the subject more fully and think about the different ways you can utilise the practice in your own life.

To begin with, you could try finding a psalm that seems to echo the cry of your heart and turn it into a prayer – or write your own lament.

Let’s look more closely at a psalm of lament, to see the four stages that they often (but not always) work through:

Address: the psalmist speaks directly to God, often revealing a level of intimacy in the relationship.

Complaint: Laying out the questions and anguish in a raw, totally honest way.

Request: Putting a direct request to the One that they know can help.

Expression of trust: Often the psalmist remembers God’s past faithfulness and turns to worship, declaring their trust in God.

You can write your own psalm according to these stages, or try using them as a basis for prayer. We will look at ways of doing both here.

Example: Psalm 13

This short psalm shows the four stages very clearly.

Address: How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
Complaint [God far, enemies triumphing]:

How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Request [more personal ‘my God’]:

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

Statement of trust [and praise]: 5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

Psalm as a springboard for prayer

Here is an example of the way in which I use particular psalms as launchpads for my own prayers, utilising Psalm 13 again:

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?

God I can’t see you at work in this situation. It feels like I am having to cope on my own. I know you are there – please reveal yourself to me. Show me you haven’t forgotten us.
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

This all feels relentless, and it does feel like the devil is having a field day. I am finding it hard to keep batting away the discouragement, and my own depression. How long is this going to go on for Lord?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

We need you to move – we need release! Come and act, move so that those around will know that you are God. And bring me your discernment and wisdom to know what to do – and your energy. I am so tired Lord…

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

I do trust you Lord, however hard that is to say at times – and I do know that you are good and that your character cannot change. I also choose to worship you, singing songs of thanks, because I know they stir my heart and do me good. Thank you for the salvation you have brought me, thank you for the way you have led me in the past – and thank you for the way you have upheld my family. I know that you love them more than I do – and trust that you have a hope and a future for each one of us.

Writing your own lament

Here are some questions to help you if you would like to try writing your own lament psalm. Use the suggestions, if helpful, in order to be honest before God but also meditate on the fact that God is with you in all your troubles or simply begin to allow God to minister to the hurting parts of your soul.

• Start by thinking about what difficulty – circumstance, person etc – is causing you anguish/anger/ anxiety/pain. Write out a description, and also how you feel about it – try and name the emotions.

• Do you feel that God is with you in it, or do you feel that he is absent? Try and write out where you feel God is.

• To help you with the second half of your lament, brainstorm some characteristics of/truths about God that you know in your head (even if you don’t feel them in your heart currently).

• Remind yourself of some of the ways God has shown his faithfulness to you in the past.

Use the notes you have made as a starting point to write out an honest lament. Try and end the psalm with some positive statements of trust – even if you aren’t feeling them right now.

Choosing to be honest before God

There have been moments in recent years when the extraordinary depths of pain and grief have wracked my body and soul, and I have been unable to do anything but sob my heart out. But I have had to make the choice to either do that before God, or trying to hide from him. In all honesty, there have been moments of both – although I know he always sees us. But when I have come before him I have certainly felt less alone. It is lament that has helped me to do that. Ultimately, I know God is good and would never want to go through any of this without him – lament helps me to hang on to him. It is certainly a practice I wouldn’t want to be without in my everyday life now.

Celebrating the Queen’s life: 5 ways she inspired me

It was with great sadness that I, along with you all, heard of the Queen’s passing yesterday. As we take time to mourn our loss together, whatever our feelings about the monarchy, let’s acknowledge that the Queen was a solid, faithful figure, always there. Most of us haven’t known a time when she wasn’t on the throne.; it will take some getting used to not having her around. The media is, quite rightly, full of stories about her life and reign. Many Christian leaders have written tributes noting the role that her faith had. I certainly admired the way she spoke increasingly of Jesus in her Christmas messages. 

Here are some of the things I have learned from the Queen’s life, which I hope to incorporate in my own – and gently encourage you to consider for your own life too. May we be able to say, as she did in her Christmas speech in 2002: ‘I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God!’

1. Have a servant heart

Even six years before her coronation, the Queen spoke of serving others in a speech to the Commonwealth on her 21st birthday: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’ It is indisputable that the Queen’s reign was hallmarked by sacrifice and a servant heart. In John 13 Jesus blew his disciples’ concept of his ministry out of the water when he took a towel and a bowl of water and began to wash their feet. They were aghast but he said: ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you’ (v15). Are we willing to serve others, even when it may be uncomfortable or put us out?

2. Keep showing up

There must have been times when the Queen would rather have had a duvet day than undertake the duties that had been arranged for her, and yet she remained steadfast and faithful. Even during her husband’s funeral, which I’m sure would have been far easier away from public scrutiny, she sat alone, masked. What a poignant image of a faithful public figure, following what were the current social distancing guidelines in the pandemic, even in the midst of her grief. So many shared that image when the news broke of the unlawful social gatherings in Downing Street.

Our integrity as human beings matters and, like the Queen knew, our actions are being watched. We are being ‘read’ and, when we show up faithfully even in those moments that perhaps we don’t feel like it, those around us see. While others in a position of leadership may abuse it, the Queen didn’t. Whether we are leaders or not, let us be faithful and steadfast in what God has put before us each day.

3. Don’t be afraid to speak up

The Queen’s Speech in more recent years had a more defined reference to her faith, which was noticed. Back in 2017, The Guardian said that of her by then 65 annual Christmas speeches, 17 referred directly to her Christian faith. She explained how it was ‘the anchor in my life’ (in 2014) and in 2016 said: ‘Billions of people now follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love…’ In 2000 she used her speech to describe Christ’s life and teaching in detail, saying they ‘provide a framework in which I try to lead my life’.

While we may not have the opportunity to give speeches that are broadcast to millions, we are urged in scripture to: ‘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 Peter 3:15). In this day and age, when people are ‘cancelled’ for holding an opinion different to the crowds’, there is a cost attached to doing this. But as Christians we are called to be different, and to count the cost (Luke 14:25-33).

4. Be honest

I personally found it refreshing when the Queen did not shy away from referencing difficulties in her family. For example, in 1992, a year that saw a fire destroying part of Windsor Castle, three of her children divorced and ongoing scandals surrounding Princess Diana and Prince Charles, she described it as ‘annus horribilis’ in a speech. While not commenting directly on events, she was not afraid to be honest about finding the year difficult.

Too often we can pretend that life is fine – even think that that is what we should do as Christians – and yet the truth is we need to be honest, and to find ways to process our pain well. Jesus himself said: ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). We can and should acknowledge the difficulties, speaking up rather than stuffing down our pain. But, ultimately, we can take heart from knowing, as the Queen did, that Jesus is our ‘anchor’.

5. Ask for support

During her coronation speech, the Queen referenced asking the public to pray for her on her coronation and beyond: ‘that God would give me wisdom and strength to carry out the promises that I should then be making’. While she was absolutely resolute in her sense of duty over her long reign, she understood right at the start that it was a huge undertaking that she couldn’t do in her own strength. Knowing that God’s ‘power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9), she reached out to him for strength, and asked others to uphold her in prayer as she did so. We each need that support as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

We are made for community and function best when we are connected, holding one another and each doing our part so that others can flourish too. While it can be a natural human tendency to hide away when we are struggling, it is so important to speak up when we feel we need extra support. Let us be gentle and supportive of one another, too, as we navigate this time of national mourning.

This article was first published on Christian Today’s website.

Exploring the Daily Examen

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The Daily Examen may sound intimidating but I have discovered that it is an amazing – and simple – way of connecting with God. Here I share how I first came across it and how I have come to value it.

Practising the Daily Examen allows you to evaluate your day, and God’s presence in it.

It was reading the Sensible Shoes fiction series that compelled me to try some spiritual disciplines for the first time. The series is written by Sharon Garlough Brown, and tells the story of four women who attend the same spiritual formation group at a retreat centre. Sharon is a spiritual director herself, and manages to weave into the women’s stories ways to connect with God deeply during everyday life. As the women are introduced to new spiritual practices by their course facilitator, so too is the reader as Sharon provides instructions for each one. It was in her books that I first discovered the Daily Examen.

The origins of the Examen

Ignatius of Loyola developed the Daily Examen in the 16th century. He believed it was a gift from God to be utilised twice daily (at noon and at the end of the day). It focuses on prayerfully reflecting on the day’s events to discern God’s presence and his will for our daily lives.

My experience with the Examen

As someone who usually sets aside time with God in the morning, it was interesting to switch to the end of the day, looking back over its events. I was particularly intrigued by a quote from the character and course leader Katharine: ’Pay attention to your strong reactions and feelings, both positive and negative. The Spirit speaks through both.’ I have certainly found that to be the case. While I don’t utilise the Examen every day, I have found it to be an enlightening and enriching experience.

Using the Daily Examen

It can be helpful to view the Examen as a way of sitting with Jesus and talking through what happened during the day. It is about slowing down to pay attention to the details of our lives, which we might otherwise overlook. Therefore, you might find it helpful to visualise snapshots of your day in your mind.

  1. Be still and become aware of God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and begin looking back over the day. It can be helpful to clarify times of being particularly aware of his presence. Were there any times when he seemed absent?
  2. Review the day with gratitude. Thank God for any of the special gifts he provided, looking out for the smallest details such as interactions with friends, food, nature.
  3. Pay attention to your emotions. We can detect the presence of God in our emotions, so it can be helpful to think about when you felt most alive and energised, and when we felt drained or anxious. Where there times when you resisted God? Why? God may bring to mind things that need confession, and, once you have done that, you can receive his grace and forgiveness.
  4. Concentrate on one feature of the day. There may be something that seems to be particularly highlighted – perhaps because God wants to teach you something. It could be positive or negative; the important thing is to stay with it, and pray as God leads.
  5. Look forward to tomorrow. You can take the lessons from one day into the next, bearing in mind how you have responded and worked with the Holy Spirit today. If there are any challenges you know you will face tomorrow, prayerfully bring them before God before asking for hope and a sense of his love.

Reprinted with permission from Premier Woman Alive magazine, copyright Premier Christian Communications Ltd 2022, all rights reserved. womanalive.co.uk  

This is part of a mini series on spiritual disciplines. To read about choosing a word for the year, click here.

Learning to celebrate despite heartache

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My life has been filled with some deep griefs in recent years. As a family we are walking through an intensely difficult time right now. It is hard for us to plan anything and often we aren’t able to do things that we used to take for granted.

So when it came to my husband’s recent 50th birthday I was concerned whether we would be able to celebrate it well. Although, in all honesty, I felt too exhausted to try and do more than get through each day. The idea of organising anything that might need to be cancelled filled me with dread.

Then we decided to utilise a voucher some friends had given us to do something for just the two of us. We downed tools very early one day, and went out for a slap-up brunch while the kids were at school. While it was stressful to get out, we were so pleased we had made the effort.

LEARNING HOW TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE WELL

The arrangements then kept falling into place. We were blessed to be able to see friends as well as family to celebrate my husband and what he means to us all. It truly was a special time for him. However, it was constantly punctuated with the sadness of life’s obstacles yet to be overcome.

As we were in the midst of our busy weekend, I kept being reminded of the Israelites in the wilderness. While God provided for their needs their day-to-day experiences must have been tough. A nomadic lifestyle, no modern-day facilities or medicines, and having to bury their dead before moving on… What harsh realities they must have faced. And yet God taught them the importance of remembering and celebrating through the many festival days that were a part of the law shared with Moses on Mt Sinai.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Time to reflect…and look forward

We are nearing the end of what some have termed ‘the worst year ever’. As the year draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect back. It has certainly been a time of catastrophic, worldwide losses and deep, personal pain for many of us. We have seen the pandemic sweep across the globe, with no signs of slowing down, politicians play dirty, nations continuing to suffer under poor leadership as well as natural disasters, and a spotlight on the racism still deeply embedded in many of our cultures.

TIME TO REFLECT

We would do well to reflect soberly on the state of our own nation, neighbourhood – and our own individual hearts. One of the big lessons of this year is that we have so little control over anything. May that make us humble before God, acknowledging our place, as well as his place, in the universe.

I always like to take some time in the run up to the turn of the year to reflect back and think about what went well, what I found difficult, what lessons I learned, what brought joy and what relationships blossomed. I also think about the things I need to leave behind. Perhaps you could take the time to do the same?

LOOKING AHEAD

I also think it is important to think and pray about the year ahead. I like to consider how I might go deeper in my relationship with God (perhaps trying new spiritual disciplines), what relationships I sense God is asking me to cultivate, how I can encourage my family, what I believe are the next steps for my work/ministry etc.

At a Zoom Christmas lunch I attended this December, we were each asked to think about what good things we’d like to take forward from 2020 into 2021. My response was to keep clinging to God (which I have had to do a lot this year) and also listen to my body and give myself a break when I really need one, without feeling guilty.

A WORD FOR THE YEAR?

That leads me neatly onto another practice I started doing a few years ago – asking God for a word that he would like me to pray into and explore for the year. I haven’t settled completely on my word yet, but I have a sense that it links into finding that right rhythm with God.

MAKING SPACE

If you haven’t already done so, can I encourage you to take some time out to reflect back on 2020 and look forward to 2021 with an attitude of prayer. One of the practices that I have found really helpful, since reading Sharon Brown’s Sensible Shoes series, is the Daily Examen.

It can be helpful to view the Examen as a way of sitting with Jesus and talking through what happened during the day. It is about slowing down to pay attention to the details of our lives, which we might otherwise overlook, so it can be helpful to visualise snapshots of our days in our minds.

The wonderful Lectio365 app has utilised this approach over the last three days to help users look back over the past year. If you haven’t already seen it, it would definitely be worth taking a look. You can download the app from here.

GOD KNOWS

I know that it has been a tough year, and we are still in the midst of difficult restrictions. But we have much to be grateful for (another spiritual discipline!) – not least that we have a God who sits on the throne, for whom none of this has been a surprise, and who knows exactly what next year holds.

And finally…

ONLINE RETREAT

I recognise that many of us still have much to process from this year. To help facilitate this, I have created an online retreat for 23 January for us to spend time with Jesus and walk through our disappointment and loss with him. Details can be found here:

If you know anyone else who you think would be interested in this event, please do forward on the details to them. Thank you x

Get rid of selfishness

These reflections on how to get rid of selfishness and learn to value others are based on Philippians 2:1–11.

‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit’ (v3).

One of the characteristics of our earthly nature is selfishness. I love this quote by Jerry Bridges,* as it recognises that selfishness is our default setting, but also that we can learn to put off such habits:

‘It is our habit to live for ourselves and not for God. When we become Christians, we do not drop all this overnight. In fact, we will spend the rest of our lives putting off these habits and putting on habits of holiness.’

I find that encouraging, as it reminds us that we are all on a journey, and that it takes time – we need to remember not to condemn ourselves when we don’t always get things right.

It can be really difficult, if we are honest, to value others above ourselves and to look out for their needs more than our own. That’s almost an upside-down way of living isn’t it – but often that is what God’s ‘kingdom living’ is like. It is also how we can learn to be more united, and isn’t that what we desperately need right now?

LOOKING TO JESUS

In those moments when we feel the demands are too high, we are told to look to Jesus’ example. Verses 6–11 focus on His selflessness while here on earth – and how God rewarded Him.

Verse 6 is particularly challenging. If we feel trying to be less selfish is beyond us, let’s remember that Jesus ‘did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage’. If the one who was truly equal with God was willing to humble Himself and be obedient, shouldn’t that be enough of a motivation for us to follow suit?

LOOKING OUT FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS

It can be quite hard in our current situation to practically show others how much we value them. We need to try and think outside the box (perhaps looking to try out some of the ideas I shared previously). Let’s ask God to help us learn to lay down our rights in order to serve others.

Yes, this can be a battle every day – particularly when we are facing intense difficulties ourselves. However, when we reach out to others, we often get the connection we need too.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am humbled once more when I think about how You laid down Your rights and were willing to sacrifice Yourself – for me. Help me to learn to put aside selfishness and reach out to others. Amen.

* Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, (Cumbria: Alpha, 1999 – first published 1978).

Chosen by God to be part of something bigger

Reflections on being chosen by God for something bigger – based on 1 Peter 2:4–10.

‘you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession’

I have struggled with my sense of self-worth in recent days. After an incredibly intense period of both work and church, throughout lockdown and beyond, things have slowed right down. Due to the pandemic, some of my regular clients have recently closed down projects that I’ve worked on for years. Others have new teams at their helm; I just don’t know whether I will get any work from them now.

So I’m not too sure what the future holds regarding work. I know my worth is not tied up in what I do, but that, coupled with a deep sense of loss, has rocked some of what I thought was sure and secure. However, I take great comfort from what it says at the start of this passage about Jesus. He was ‘rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him’. Yes, there will be moments when we are rejected, moments when we are passed over, but that does pale into insignificance against the fact that we are precious to God.

WE ARE PRIESTS

What can give us an extra sense of value and significance is knowing that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves – a holy nation, a royal priesthood. These phrases are first found in the Old Testament, where Israel was called God’s holy nation. God taught them to ‘set apart’ priests to undertake the rituals and sacrifices necessary for God to dwell with them. But when Jesus came, He was the ultimate high priest. While other priests had to offer sacrifices for their sins, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for all our sins – forever! In this amazing act of redemption He has made us to be priests – also ‘set apart’ to reflect the holiness of God to the world around us.

LIVING STONES

The other image in this passage is of us being built into a spiritual house. As ‘living stones’, we remain close to Jesus, the foundation on which we are built. It also means we are united with other believers. We are never alone.

Prayer: Rather than focusing on the times when I may be rejected, I choose to thank You Lord for the privilege of being part of Your holy nation, Your chosen people. Amen.

Created for His work

We can work for God at all times.

These reflections, on how we are created for a particular purpose, are based on Ephesians 2:1–10.

‘we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (v10).

We have looked at how God has made us to be new creations, or ‘alive with Christ’. Not only that, we are ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ – we have eternal life now to enjoy and an inheritance with Jesus.

MADE FOR A PURPOSE

The key verse I have pulled out of this passage shows us that we have ready-prepared ‘good works’ to do. Often our sense of self can unhealthily be caught up in what we do – our society seems to like labelling people by their jobs, and, as a result, one of the first questions we ask people when we meet them is what job they have.

While it is wrong to find our identity in our jobs, as it should be found only in God, He fashioned us to enjoy living purposeful lives – and that includes doing His work. It is really important that we remember, as this passage reminds us, that our salvation is a gift of grace – not something we have worked to earn. Since we have been saved, however, God does have a particular purpose for each one of us to undertake. Isn’t that exciting?

WORKING FOR HIM, ALWAYS

I think that we can easily fall into the trap of compartmentalising our lives, and somehow viewing what we do specifically for the church as God’s work, whereas everything else is somehow outside of that remit. However, I firmly believe that God wants to be involved in every single area of our lives.

Being alive with Christ means we have an active relationship with God at all times. We can be doing His good works just as much in the way we conduct ourselves at work or in front of our children – even in our leisure time – and, in fact, that reveals the evidence of God being at work in our lives to those around us.

Prayer: God I am so grateful that You have made me alive in Christ; not only that, but You have created me for a specific purpose. Help me to live that out each day. Amen.

Made in the image of God

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Reflections based on Psalm 139:1–16.

‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (v14)

So many of us can have trouble accepting ourselves for who we are. Our bodies in particular come under such scrutiny, often because of the huge amount of unhelpful messages we are bombarded with by society (in the form of ads, magazines, Facebook etc). We need to stop and remind ourselves regularly that we were created by God – and Genesis tells us that we are actually made in His image! 

I find this psalm so comforting – but also challenging. God is ever there; surrounding us at all times. But how often do we forget, when we are moaning that we’ve put on too much weight, or aren’t as attractive as one of the other women in church/work/at the school gate, that God formed us in our mothers’ wombs, and knew exactly what we would be like.

As we saw, God is most concerned with inner rather than outer appearance – and yet He still took the time to lovingly put our bodies together.

If you have ever spent any time looking in detail at the biology behind the human body, it is nothing short of miraculous. When I was pregnant with our children I used to read The Rough Guide to Pregnancy out to my husband. We would be amazed at the entries, which said things like, ‘this week your baby is growing fingernails’. God’s design for humans is mind-blowing! 

We are going to spend some time over the next few weeks looking at who God says we are, and how those truths should be feeding our sense of self. I wanted to start with the amazing truth that God, the creator of the universe, also decided, before the creation of the world, to create you and me. Isn’t that incredible?!

Prayer: Lord I’m sorry that I can spend time fixating on the parts of my body that I don’t like rather than thanking You for creating me. I am ‘wonderfully made’! Amen.