A prayer today from my 2004 book Heart to Heart on the theme of celebrating the fullness of life that God gives us in Christ.
Celebrating life
It sounds so wonderful, Lord,
so rich and replete with promise:
life in all its fullness –
abundant,
overflowing.
But do I live in such a way as to show that,
in a way that makes people sit up and take notice,
desiring such life for themselves?
Is each day a celebration of your goodness,
each moment a joyful response to the blessings you so freely bestow?
Or do people see in me instead a denial of life,
a taking refuge in creed and doctrine, religion and ritual,
retreating into the safe environment of church and fellowship,
rather than embracing all that is good in your world,
the inestimable treasures it has to offer?
It’s not easy striking the right balance,
for neither life nor this world are all good –
not by a long way –
so much bringing pain and sorrow,
so much tarnished by evil,
spoiled by sin.
Yet life is still your gift,
fashioned by your hand and bearing your stamp;
a bequest to be savoured,
sanctified,
celebrated.
Teach me, then, Lord, to live within this world
yet not be conformed to it,
to affirm the best and challenge the worst,
living each day,
each moment,
in joyful thanksgiving.
Teach me to anticipate your promise of life to come
by consecrating life now
and living it to your praise and glory.
In Christ’s name I pray.
Amen.
This really hits home to me. Being a lifelong sufferer of clinical depression, as a Christian it bothers me that I don’t express joy as people might expect of me. I comfort myself with knowing that, even though my moods are variable, God is unchanging in his love, strength and support.
“Or do people see in me instead a denial of life,
a taking refuge in creed and doctrine, religion and ritual,
retreating into the safe environment of church and fellowship,”
These lines stood out, Nick. Recently, I seem to be coming across so many people who do not see the church as a safe environment and welcoming place of fellowship. They’re turning away from God because of what they see as hypocritical ‘church folk’. I’ve particularly been struck by how badly some disabled people have been treated in churches. At first I found it hard to believe, but more than one person I’ve encountered has confirmed this. It’s distressing.
I love your poem though! 😀
You’re absolutely right Lesley. In fact I’m writing a prayer on hypocrisy at the moment for my next book, and it’s something Christians and the Church have all too often been guilty of, and frequently remain so, love and acceptance being conditional on doctrinal or religious conformity, attending church, or a host of other factors, You’re right too about provision for, and acceptance of, those with disabilities. The record of many church congregations on this is not a proud one, those outside of the Church more often than not having led the way in changing public perceptions and people’s responses. I hope and think churches are catching up on this, but from what you say, some have a long way to go, Distressing indeed.
Thank you for replying on this, Nick. I must confess that I found this difficult to believe at first, but it seems the situation is shameful. As a Christian I’m sorry I didn’t believe it.
I look forward to your future writing.