I love that delicious moment when we find ourselves at the edge of a passing storm… the sun peeks through, and a rainbow ignites. Arching across the skies, those gorgeous colours offer us hope.
Life will always have storms. But the Lord God gives us rainbows. Do we fear the storm- or celebrate the rainbow?
One encouraging phrase sometimes used during tough times is “This too shall pass.” It’s true enough- I have a 100% record of surviving bad times (so far). But that is small comfort when we have to face the harsh realities of sickness or grief, when we -or those we love- seem caught up in a tornado of trial or terror.
Jesus offered something more reliable: in Matthew 24:35 (NLT) he says:- “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
That promise shines like a rainbow against the darkening sky. A technicolour guarantee! Jesus speaks- and gives Life.
Later, in 1 Cor 13 v13, Paul commented that it all boils down to this:
“Faith, Hope, and Love shall remain- and the greatest of these is Love.”
Living in a seaside town means the pace slows down when the holiday makers go home at the end of summer.
Traffic levels drop off a bit, and the seafront changes character. The kid’s playgrounds shuts down, the crazy golf closes, and the pier goes quiet. I remember a time when the pier was longer, and speedboats offered high-speed rides- such a thrill. The more sedate could take a donkey ride, or hire a deckchair.
It’s as if the town takes a breath before next year’s visitors.
That’s a good thing for the town: and it is a good thing for people to do the same. Early morning at low tide, a huge expanse of wet sand is exposed, with scattered soft rocky boulders ruling over little briny lakes. The sand is patterned with ripples by the receding water. A few crabs, some seaweed, worm casts, not much else to take the eye.
Early low sun-rays turn the sand into a glaring bright mirror. Locals take the opportunity to walk the sands, exercise the dog, breathe deeply of the salt-tanged air. Precious time to breathe; solitary if you like, or friendly passing chats with the dogs (and sometimes the owners!).
How wonderful to set mind and spirit at rest.
Praying whilst walking can be helpful practice. Sharing your thoughts with God, acknowledging His Presence with praise, and even working through doubts, fears, or troubles.
Meditating on a few verse from the Bible (or one of the great themes of faith or theology) can be a real blessing. Take a breath- and inhale the gracious Love of God with every step. Imagine walking alongside Jesus beside the sea and share a conversation…
Here is one passage to meditate on to seek deeper Wisdom:
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:6-7
Take a breath. It will bless you- and bring you closer to Jesus.
Cooler moist air, early angled sunshine, and a spider’s web becomes an artwork: its fragility set off beautifully by the smooth solid rose-hips adding hints of colourful, warm, apricot.
Eureka! The kind of web that when not lit up can be walked into by us as well as bugs which then enlivens mornings with an impromptu outburst of spluttering interpretative dance.
Suddenly all the delicate structure of the engineering of a web is plain to see. How did spiders ever learn to do that?
The complexity of a garden eco-system is astonishing. So many creatures taking part in the interweaving dynamic of Life. Then the plants that provide beauty, food, cover and more. From ant to tree, there is a place for everything. Most of the events in our gardens happen without our awareness. Life and death conflicts go on in the grasses, the soil, and the air. Hidden birds burst into song (which we sometimes fail to notice- that is surely a crime!).
Becoming aware of the life around us is important. It sets us in the proper context as part of our home, our community, our world.
We will see, hear and smell things that lift our consciousness, and even open us on a spiritual level. Respect for creation often leads to a deeper respect, a reverence, towards God. Theologians talk about God being “immanent” – being present in and sustaining life- and this means God can be encountered in and through the stream of life we are part of. Grace roosts in our treetop, waiting to fly down to our shoulder.
As we step into our home, into our garden, onto our day’s journey, we are on holy ground. God is present, and through encountering His Presence we participate in holiness. We are “set aside” for a holy purpose which can be worked out wherever our day takes us.
My day started with a spider’s web. And I sensed the pleasure of Jesus as I photographed it, and as I started to write about the experience. God is here, as He always has been. Now, I am aware.
Psalm 113:4-6
The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
Some pictures move me on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. Wondering why this is so, I looked up a definition of art and found several. Like this one:
“Art is an expression of yourself, so create a mood with your description. Describe it as if the person were in pitch black and could not see it. Think about the feeling you want to express through your piece. What did you feel when you made this?”
I was experimenting with some old photos, and found some of Pagham Harbour nature reserve. The original photo was a bit dull- the ground was dark and featureless, the sky rather bland. A bit of tweaking made it better. Then I applied a “texture” filter, and suddenly the picture spoke. It became like an oils-on-canvas painting, and came alive.
What did I feel when I made this? Excellent question! It made me remember what I felt when I took the photograph. Quietness is a feature of the Reserve. The most noticeable noises are natural ones; the sound of waterfowl, the gentle lapping of the water. Cool gentle air moved enough to make me shiver. Curlews whistled nearby, and that always sounds mournful- or perhaps “plaintive” is the word I’m looking for.
Natural sounds too often get masked by “progress.” Engines, planes, radios, shouting and bustle. It’s almost as though we are afraid of silence, of any quietness, so that we have to go looking for it and leave our civilised mod-cons behind.
Why do I love the open air so much? Because I can slow down and listen, look round and take in the “art” that God made. It is a meeting-place free of distractions. An art gallery of beauty signed with the Creator’s mark- and He said of the world “It is good.”
I can’t know YOUR reaction to this picture. Does it make you feel something, make you take a second look? ! wonder… (Try opening the photo to full screen for more impact.)
God is present at all times and places… our problem is one of being un-receptive, or impatient, or preoccupied. We need to find the art, the places, and the open heart that allows us to encounter Love. After all, God has said that we WILL find Him, when we seek with all our heart…
I never know what I will find on the beach. Low tide is my favourite: as the sea retreats, the sand is sculpted into sinuous shapes by shifting waves. Shellfish leave their mark. Plants of strange forms and unexpected colours are there to admire- like this white “tree” standing out boldly against the sand and sky-painted rivulets.
Some tides bring in rubbish, old tins and perennial plastics. I suppose we might say the flotsam and jetsam of 2021 has largely been junk!
When the opposite happens, though, we have memories of beauty, love, courage, and service.
Concentrating only on the rubbish is unhealthy. Most people have found 2021 hard and hostile, and we’re glad to see the back of it. Whatever your experiences this year, will you try to find one (at least) moment of joy and life to remember- and give thanks God for that?
Looking ahead… no-one is master of tide or weather. But a simple prayer for us all:
“May you find life in unexpected places.”
Keeping our hearts, eyes, and ears open for those special life-affirming moments, we may meet a person, embrace an opportunity, fulfil a hope… and may the God of Hope grant you inner peace and an everlasting love.
There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes Ch. 3 that states “God has put eternity in our hearts.” May the year 2022 bring us hope, peace and joy- and may we find life where we don’t expect it.
When you’ve seen one low tide… you look for a fresh angle to make a different photo!
This photo is the seafront houses reflected in a tide pool. It’s a glimpse, an interpretation of the reality in front of the lens. There is a contrast of the natural water course of sand/pebbles: and the partial, tantalising view of the buildings beyond. The picture “works” because it intrigues me.
John Bunyan’s classic “Pilgrim’s Progress” details the journey towards the Celestial City: with Pilgrim hindered or helped by people met and moral challenges encountered. Thousands of readers have been inspired on their own pilgrimage: they enter into the story.
Jesus also painted word pictures to inspire his audiences. “The Kingdom of God is like….” He used metaphors such as a mustard seed, a treasure, a magnificent pearl. These image-stories helped the listeners to discover truth for themselves, instead of “just” being told what to believe. Truth we determine ourselves sticks in our minds better.
So- “The Kingdom of God is like a city glimpsed in a tidal pool…”
We are rooted on the beach, we see the water, stones, the sand and seaweed. We can see something reflected… windows… walls… a flag pole? Or is it a streetlight? We need to look harder… We can only be sure if we get closer to the REAL image, not settle for an obscured partial view- which is upside down anyway! Well then, let’s walk up the beach to find the city. Then we’ll KNOW.
The 12 disciples had a privilege; they could ask Jesus to tell them more, to explain. We can read the New Testament for ourselves and study the insights of generations of followers. Do we really want to know, to understand?
Jesus often teaches us via stories, glimpses, visions, circumstances and life in general. Much of our heart-learning is gained on the journey. This is what changes us- it becomes Light on the inside and life that wells up within us.
The Kingdom is come among you. That is the reality: Jesus came to bring us the Kingdom where He will reign. One day we will see it clearly. If we want to.
When the tide came in on this beach, the glimpse vanished. Don’t leave the looking too late. Instead, let it become your vision.
Forty eight years. Where have they gone? If you’re doing the maths, that’s 1973. 29th April to be precise- the day I was baptised as a follower of Jesus Christ. 48 years today.
My Dad conducted the ceremony, three baptisms that evening: baptism by full immersion as believers and disciples. All three of us were baptised at our own request because we had received the grace of God and responded in faith & trust. Our public testimony marked us out as people who had encountered the love of God and who now intended to follow Him as obediently and sincerely as we could, with the help of the Holy Spirit working in us.
How much I have learnt. How much have I succeeded? Good question!
I hope that my faith in Christ has been clearly reflected throughout my life. Have I been perfect? Far from it. But I have learnt that forgiveness is given when needed, and that purpose has also been a consequence of my faith.
The proverb written on the photo was taken on a very still early morning, approaching the mooring at Olden in the Norwegian fjords. The reflection had a gorgeous clarity, a detailed copy of the sleeping village. Our ship was moving so slowly we hardly disturbed the surface. My hope is that the reflection I have left in the passing years has had that same clarity: people watching my life, hearing my words, judging my actions and attitudes OUGHT to be able to discern a true picture of what Christian living is about.
Storms and squalls have stirred up the waters at times. Interacting with other people isn’t always calm and straightforward. But I’ve been grateful for companions on the journey, including those who have knocked off my rough edges and/or helped me learn lessons I had hoped to avoid! My apologies and regrets to those who may not be glad we met. I wish I could have been better able to navigate some of those troubled seas.
A reflection is never PERFECT. Even in a quality mirror, there will be slight distortions and some of the light is reflected away. Sadly there are times when my reflection of Jesus has been distorted or incomplete, and some of the Light of the World has bounced off my imperfections. I hope you will forgive my shortcomings.
But I REALLY, REALLY hope that my representing of Jesus has been good enough to help others see Him more clearly. As my namesake, St Richard of Chichester, prayed:
Thanks be to you, my Lord, Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits that you have given me; For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O, most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, May I know you more clearly; Love you more dearly; And follow you more nearly,
Day by day.
Richard of Wyche, also known as Richard of Chichester, was born at Wyche (Droitwich), Worcestershire, England. He was orphaned when he was quite young. He served as Bishop of Chichester for the last years of his life and this “Prayer of Gratitude” is his memorial.
“There’s nothing to see. Move on” said the small group of walkers who paused to see what I was looking at. Yet I spent a happy half-hour looking at this “nothing.” I had a reason.
Can you work out the missing element?
It is mid-October, about 4pm. Until 4.30pm. As I stood, leaning on the fence, everything was still. Scarcely a ripple on the water, very light breeze, and almost complete silence. So peaceful! I was content and stayed focussed on just being there.
Time is what the photo misses. It is frozen history, a moment that is past forever. But because I gave this scene time, I witnessed life. You, the reader, can’t see or hear this Life- you weren’t there, or you moved on too swiftly. Over beyond those reedy mudflats, two swans set off to a lakelet behind the North Wall of the RSPB Reserve. The place was so still, I heard the sound of the wind through the pinions of their wings, swooshing forcefully with every downbeat. An Oystercatcher swept by heading for the beach. Dunlins sprang up and dashed like a high-speed train inches above the water. Ducks passed by, a kestrel hovered spying on the mammal morsels she sought to invite for supper. The piping calls of wading birds echoed across the placid water.
Nothing to see? Rubbish! This scene just needed some time and attention.
So it can be with “hearing God” or even just trying to pray. We give a few moments, but we’re not tuned in. We see nothing of interest, hear nothing to take our attention. What if we invested more time? A day, a week, maybe an hour or two. Perhaps we would hear a gentle Voice of relieved Love- “At last! You can hear me!” – as our senses are sharpened and our attention made real.
I do not think there is any shortcut to hearing God. But giving time and attention is a great start.
God sometimes takes the initiative- He may call out to us, or communicate via a prophet, preacher or stranger. The Holy Bible is the record of what He has already said. Holy Spirit insight may be given in several ways. The Old Testament writers like Amos, Jeremiah, and the Chronicler point out that “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT).
2 Chronicles 15:1 (NLT) Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.…”
Verse 8 tells us that King Asa “heard the words of the prophet and took courage.” Asa became a good king, faithful to God and to the people: he introduced vital reforms, and mostly did well. He sought God with all his heart. He gave time, attention, and obedience.
Perhaps you are “stuck” in a place or time where there is “nothing to see” and you are frustrated. The halls of heaven echo silence.
In that silence the Lord may speak. Wait. (We don’t like waiting, we live in an “instant” society.) Use the time, embrace the silence, cling on to the truth that God is the Revealer and Reconciler. Look for God wholeheartedly: don’t rush away despairingly. In the silence and in peace or turmoil- God will speak.
“Silent” and “Listen” have the same letters, just in a different order; and being silent is often the first step of listening. Start right here, right now.
Living without hope is soul-destroying. Hopelessness eats at our spirit, our courage, our relationships and even our ability to love. Then we give up. Or we start to try experimenting with ridiculous risks or harmful actions.
“Acceptable social anaesthetics” like drugs, alcohol or sexual indulgence offer temporary relief: but if there is a vacuum at the centre, everything is sucked in and destroyed. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I may seek bigger experiences, zingier worship, allow my faith to collapse- or I can build on my foundation.
WHAT we focus on will affect our day-to-day mood and actions.
WHO we focus on will determine our story’s end.
I count myself blessed to be living near the sea. Autumn means the beaches are mostly empty, and the sunrise and sunsets are a personal art gallery to be enjoyed and cherished. The other day I watched small waves coming in at an angle of about 25 degrees to the shoreline. As they broke there was a long succession of noise as the water curved onto the stones, like a succession dive by a line of synchronised swimmers. It was almost hypnotic- certainly very calming.
Perhaps it is in these observations of the wonder of creation that we can find reminders of God. Combine that with a reflection on God’s revealed Word, and we can find encouragement to strengthen our minds and our spirits.
The grateful heart finds hope in counting these blessings and the solidity of the world- the Faithful God is revealed in the faithful repetition of sea, land and sky. There can be- will be- storms and disasters- but they pass and new days come. So far, I have a 100% record of surviving life… and a growing bundle of joy-filled photos to remind me that God IS… He is LOVE… AND HE IS FAITHFUL.
My choice is important. What and WHO will I focus on? That’s where I will find hope.
Psalm 33:22 (NLT) Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Look, See, Pray 