Tag: taking stock

Time to take stock

Reflections based on Ephesians 5:15–16.

This week we attended a virtual meeting with the other new pupils, head of year and assistant head for the school our son will be moving to in September. The school’s motto is: Per Ardua Ad Summa, ‘Through Difficulties to the Heights’, and much weight was given to the fact that they will all face new challenges, and will find some things difficult, and yet they were encouraged to push through, and keep trying, as that is how we discover who we are and what we excel at.

That is, in part, what I feel this passage in Ephesians is also saying to us. That we need to continue making the most of every opportunity that we have before us. We need to be wise with our time, and with what we give our attention to, but, as lockdown begins to ease, this is also an opportunity to reflect on where we are at in our lives – spiritually, mentally and physically.

I know some are desperate for lockdown to end; others have enjoyed the extra time it has given them. Some have embraced new hobbies; others have struggled with binge eating, drinking and TV watching. Whichever describes you (or perhaps none of that does), have you taken the time to ask God what his will is for your life currently? We can too easily settle, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in. Are you still pressing into God for all he has for you personally in this rather strange and perplexing year?

For myself, I have reached physical exhaustion, but am finding space to refresh myself spiritually. Just today I had the sudden realisation that I have been hit afresh with a new wave of grief – it can creep up but engulf so quickly. But I need to be wise in how I deal with it; giving myself space to process but not to allow myself to be overcome with the darkness.

We each have the responsibility, and joy, of discovering God’s will for our lives, and for being careful about how we live. Try to take some time today before him to take stock of how healthy each area of your life is.

Reflection: Let me leave you with a couple of quotes from Brother Lawrence to ponder, from The Practise of the Presence of God. My mum wrote them in a card to me for my 40th birthday, and I discovered it again today. His comments are a great starting point for thinking about living wisely, and in God’s will:

‘To be always with God; and to do nothing, say nothing and think nothing which may displease him; and this without any other review than purely for the love of him, and because he deserves infinitely more.’

‘Do not forget him, but think on him often, adore him continually, live and die with him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession.’

Life is short…

Memorial services are great for bringing perspective.

I recently attended one for a dear guy who, at one stage of our lives, was extremely instrumental in our continuing faith journey. He was the first small group leader we had in the church we attended more than 20 years ago. We’ve since moved on from that church, moving home to help start another church in a nearby community.

What shocked us about this situation was that his death was sudden – and he was so young (just four years older than my husband). So there we were, a group of people that had come back together from various corners of the country to celebrate and acknowledge the life of this unassuming man who had had an impact on us.

He had been a somewhat clumsy, awkward guy, but so friendly and gentle. Everyone who paid tribute to him recognised those qualities. But they also talked about his absolute assurance of the truth of the gospel. Although a scientist, he had had no problem marrying his faith with scientific fact, and his faith had been the stronger for it.

As I sat listening to people speaking that day, I suddenly heard a gentle whisper:

What would people be saying if it were you? How would people describe you?

I know that the word ‘gentle’ would certainly not be among the words used. Unfortunately that’s not a natural character trait for me…

But would there be the things I would hope for, such as: kind, loyal, honest, authentic, faith-filled, inspiring, encouraging? Or would there be, as I suspect I’m viewed as currently: over-busy, stressed, aloof, overbearing, difficult to approach, emotional?

I know I’m overstating the case somewhat, but sitting there that day made me take stock:

What is it I’m investing my time and efforts in, and are they worthwhile?

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