More blessed to give than to receive

Well known parts of the bible bounce around our minds like confetti on a windy day and can be quoted at key moments of confusion or difficulty.

Recently I found the words of Jesus “it is more blessed to give than receive” tripping off my tongue. I caught them, stopped and reflected asking myself “is this true of my life”? Would I rather give £1000 or receive £1000?

No brainer.

What about forgiveness, would I rather someone apologise to me or I apologise to them?

Even something as simple as encouragement! Do I go to church hoping some keen believer will say something kind and encouraging to me, “great preach last Sunday”, or do I come prepared to speak these life words to my brothers and sisters.

The U.K. society is fragmented, marriages break down, close friends leave and abandon or just plain overlook the other.  

Churches can easily fail in this area of building community because all too often we demand more from others than we are willing to invest. Like the banking world we want friendship prosperity but because of our massive demands and unrealistic expectations of others these friendships are destined for meltdown and bankruptcy .

Tragically members make their way to the exit or sit forlorn on the” lonely step”!

In the Christian family, the church, we need to rehearse with faith that “it is more blessed to give than receive”.

This alone has the power to revolutionise our churches in Commission. Every member coming to community group and Sunday's with a bag full of gifts, words of encouragements, cards, groceries,  presents and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We work hard and sacrifice to make sure others know they are loved, valued and needed.

Don't wait for someone to leave before thanking them or asking them over for dinner, you be the blessing.

It is more blessed to give than receive, chew on this.

Slow down you move too fast

Slow down you move too fast

Approaching my 55th birthday I am worried at the speed of things around me and within me.

Sitting in T5 Heathrow I look at human ants scurrying, spraying, carrying and pushing to get to their destination. I have often felt myself like a washing machine on speed. Even on holiday I find myself rushing, checking my watch, people watching and checking the departure board every ten minutes in case the flight is cancelled.

But I have this hunger and desire.

I want to know rest, deep rest, soul rest, yet understand that it is as flighty as a butterfly and as elusive as a mini bar of soap in a bubbling jacuzzi.

It is a fact the Western world is getting faster, we walk 10% faster than we did 20 years ago, we process eighty times more information in a single day than we did back then. Our electronic age has shrunk the world, the bleep of a phone alerts us to football scores, world news, family fun or an e mail that desperately needs answering before the day is over.

So what do I, we, do?

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help comes from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who neither tires, nor sleeps and is in control of all things.

God rested on the seventh day, and invites me, you and every child to enter in, to kick off our shoes and switch off all external distractions. In that place alone, with the audience of one we can more fully know and be fully known. In the contemplative tradition of the Church to practice soul resting, by three disciplines of recollection, quiet and union.

I am once again hearing the refrain from Simon and Garfunkle