I recently discovered the American writer Anne Lamott (better late than never, she is a wonder). She wrote with great wisdom: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you”. So, on this mindfulness Monday let's find the off switch within ourselves for just a few moments and become fully present wherever we are and whatever our circumstances today.
I encourage you to join me with a refreshing cup of tea, good coffee or your favourite fruit juice and, of course, something nice to eat. Listen to the worship song I have chosen or another restful piece of music. Then, when you're ready, bring the day and all your concerns, thoughts and feelings to Jesus as we enter into His presence. Let's be aware of the good things we have and come with a grateful heart.
Of course, mindfulness is not a new concept, far from it. Taking time each day to be totally in the moment is judged as good for our health and well being, as well as benefiting those around us. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832) was thinking about it when he wrote, “Nothing is worth more than this day. You cannot relive yesterday. Tomorrow is still beyond your reach”.
After the celebrations of Easter we can be grateful and joyful in the good news of the Resurrection in the light of the love and hope coming from the empty tomb. But, under the weight of the daily bombardment of devastating news we see and hear online and on our televisions, we may not be feeling as victorious as we'd like. We may be suffering from “compassion fatigue” or feeling helpless in the face of the climate crisis, we may be in good health or not, struggling financially or dealing with difficult relationships. Switching off for a short while becomes more important than ever and we can take heart with the following words of Scripture, “O most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid...” (Psalm 56: 3).
I recently attended an excellent, thought provoking and deep dive into a short course via Zoom on the subject of supporting and caring for children and young people in our churches. The last session was about how we (children and adults) deal with disappointment – in ourselves, with other people, with church and even in God. As the discussions drew to a close and we reflected on all our loss and disappointments we were reminded of the truth, hope and comfort found in Habakkuk 3: 17-19:
“Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails,
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights”.
These wonderful verses remind us that God Himself is our strength and in Him we find confidence, courage and endurance for the journey. And, who knows, there still may be heights for us to scale. So, despite everything, we can say, “yet will I rejoice in the Lord”, because of Jesus and the knowledge that He is with us every step of the way.
I'll close with the words from a meditation by Anna Voskamp:
“You get to never be abandoned
because He abandoned everything to be with you,
and His atonement on the cross
was for at-one-ment with you”.
A prayer by Karl Barth
O Lord God, our Father, You are the light that can never be put out; and now you give us a light that shall drive away all darkness. You are love without coldness, and you have given us such warmth in our hearts that we can love all when we meet.
You are the life that defies death, and you have opened for us the way that leads to eternal life. None of us is a great Christian; we are all humble and ordinary. But your grace is enough for us.
Arouse in us that small degree of joy and thankfulness of which we are capable, to the timid faith which we can muster, to the cautious obedience which we cannot refuse, and thus to the wholeness of life which you have prepared for all us through the death and resurrection of your Son. Do not allow any of us to remain apathetic or indifferent to the wondrous glory of Easter but let the light of our risen Lord reach every corner of our dull hearts. Amen.
Ruth Leeming
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