Walk in His ways

CedarDrive, Timbermill, Lintot Square, Downslink, Country Park, Worthing Road, Pevensey Road

Walking can sometimes be a challenge.  This week part of my walking was interrupted as I was called to help someone in need.  Little did I know that later in the day my offer of support would involve me in a moral dilemma and in a situation I had never experienced before.

How do we decide what is the right thing to do?  Should we avoid helping others because we don't know what we are letting ourselves in for?

In any event, I made my decision and prayed it was the right choice.  I don't know if the other choice would have been just as ethical or not or whether the outcome would have been different.

God says we have to walk in his ways.  He offers us a choice, life and prosperity or death and destruction.  He asks us to choose life and be obedient by loving him as he has loved us and to keep his command to love others.  His word will be in our hearts and mouths and we will not have to worry about the outcome for as long as we are walking with Him, we are within his blessing.

I pray that we will have the courage of our convictions this week.  Let us follow God more closely by looking to him and his ways and let us believe that he is at work in all our lives.

Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly ...

Cedar Drive, Cripplegate Lane, Country park, Downslink, Worthing Road

Since January I have been very much reflecting on what it means to walk humbly with God.  It has amazed me how many insights you can gain by setting aside a time to slow down to a steady pace and reflect on where you are going and whether the journey has been an easy amble or uphill struggle.  I have been humbled to note that I had been trying to rush through life and not taken time to enjoy the beauty of the journey or to reflect how closely or not I have stuck to the right path.  I have very much had to learn to follow rather than to rush ahead of myself or God.

Now I find myself thinking about what it means to 'act justly' and 'love mercy'.  Words so easily said but harder to follow.  

Acting justly requires us to be fair minded and open to all, considering the impact of our words and actions on others.  It requires the righteous, right way of doing things, the Godly way - sometimes boldly speaking out or taking a new direction.  Maybe this is why we must walk humbly.  For it is all to easy to open our mouths without thinking of the impact of our words, to blame others for unwanted consequences of our actions or for their failure to understand us, or to sit back and let others take the risk.  

Fortunately God is merciful.  He is slow to anger and swift to bless.  If we humble ourselves enough to reflect on our own waywardness and repent, He forgives and forgets our many faults and failures.  He gently reminds us that He is the Director of our journey and His is the Way we should follow.  It is only when we have submitted to His direction that we can act justly, sharing God's merciful love with all we journey with.

I pray that as Autumn approaches and the trees let go of their leaves, that we are able to let go of past hurts and unforgiveness.  Maybe this is a time for pruning all that is not bearing fruit in our lives and for our roots to be rested and fed by the love and forgiveness of God.  And may this lead us to a time of celebration in a Creator who loves us and desires to lead us on a journey of deeper discovery of a what it means to be in relationship with Him - boldly going where God uniquely leads us.

When I needed a neighbour!

19th July 2013

Cedar Drive, Cripplegate Lane, Station Road, Worthing Road, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square

I must admit to struggling to walk in this very hot weather, especially in the afternoons.  On Tuesday I started off with good intentions but half way round I realised I had made a mistake deciding to walk.  It was at this point that someone stopped me to ask directions.  As they drove off and I continued my hot trudge, I thought at least I had helped someone find their way.  Although I wished I had suggested showing them the way and therefore getting a lift.  No sooner had I wished for a lift, I heard my name being called from an unfamiliar car.  It was a friend and she was going to the same place I was, so I had my lift and was sheltered from the heat.

I thank God that despite our feelings, he can both use us to help others and provide help when we need it.  He hears our prayers and honours our good intentions.  In the story of the Good Samaritan in the bible, we hear of a man being a good neighbour and showing compassion and mercy to a stranger.  I pray that the people of Southwater will have the opportunity this week to both give and receive love and support and know what it is to be a Godly neighbour.

Peace be with you.

Timbermill, the Downslink, Worthing Road, Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square

I always find that walking brings me such a sense of peace.  It slows me down, reminds me that my body has its limits and enables me to notice the beauty that's always around me.

Jesus says that in this world there will be trials and tribulations, distress and frustration.  But he also says that he has overcome the world and that in him we have perfect peace.

Sometimes we need to slow down or stop to step outside our perceived reality.  I pray that those who are struggling to find peace, will be able to stop or slow down for a bit, that they may notice the beauty around them and somehow be open to the Almighty Creator who holds all things in his hands and has a plan to prosper us all.  May they know the truth of a loving God who sent us his Son to show us the way to perfect peace.

Fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139

Station Road, Lintot Square, Pevensey Road, Timbermill, Worthing Road and Southwater Country Park

This week's weather has certainly made walking interesting.  It's been very hot and sunny but with humidity and threats of thunder storms.  At the beginning of the week it was bright with a cool breeze and today it's humid and cloudy.  I have had to be prepared with cardigan, sunglasses and umbrella most days and walking hasn't always felt comfortable.  However I am still reminded that whatever the circumstances we can carry on, make progress and keep a steady pace.  As someone who can get carried away running ahead of myself with enthusiasm or overwhelmed to the point of coming to a full stop, it amazes me how much God can teach me as I walk.

God knows me inside out.  He knows that I am made up of heart, soul and strength and need balance in all these areas.  He has made me and all creation so wonderfully that each part of us is connected and connects us to each other.  By taking time out to walk steadily I find my thoughts begin to order themselves, my emotions regulate and my heart and muscles are strengthened.

I thank God at we are fearfully and wonderfully made and pray that in whatever we are doing we recognise that and value ourselves, others and our environment.

You'll never walk alone

Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square, Worthing Road

I've been walking a lot this week but mainly in Cornwall with friends rather than in Southwater.

What strikes me today is that sticking to the same route can sometimes have you going round in circles and not getting very far.  I love walking around Southwater and stopping to have conversations with people I know and saying hello to those I don't but it's rare for me to find a path that will show me something completely unexpected or challenge me.  

In Cornwall I did the most challenging walk I have ever done.  I have never walked for a whole day or climbed up and down so many hills.  To be honest, I would never have done it now if my friend hadn't wanted company as she fulfilled one of her ambitions.  And I'm so glad I did.  Sharing our journeys, our dreams, our highs and lows can lead us to do unexpected things and to grow in friendship and self-awareness.  Jesus rarely travelled alone and all who travelled with him learnt new things, were sometimes challenged and out of their comfort zone but they were never alone.

God promises that he is close.  He goes before us, he walks beside us and he leads the way.  I pray that all will know Jesus as their travelling companion, teacher, comforter and encourager.

Peace

Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square, Timbermill, Worthing Road, Southwater Street, Warren Drive, Blakes Farm Road

Great peace have they who love God's law; nothing offends them, nothing causes the, to stumble. Psalm 119:165

I pray for all those who are struggling to find peace.  In a world where there are many concerns it is difficult not to be distracted by our troubles.  Through God's word, we can find enduring truths that God is both almighty Creator and loving Father who is intimately involved in every part of our lives, no matter how big or small.  We have a God who loves us and offers us His peace.

I pray for peace as my feet have walked through the village this week.