Tag: Jesus

Outcast- Look, See, Pray

As a young-ish fella my pastor set me a challenge. “I’m preaching about Moses next week. How about writing a song for me?” The folk/gospel revolution of the 70s, a fingerpickin’ guitarist, and a week… Challenge accepted!

Why a wild flower photo? I came across it in the wild flower bed I set up this spring- I’ve never seen one before, it may have been in the seed mix- or a gift from a passing bird. A lone outcast surviving in the wilds. So it seemed appropriate. Anyway, here’s the lyric for “Outcast.”

Sheep are my business, the desert my home
since running from Egypt and dead men's bones.
My people are distant, far from this place-
a moment of passion cuts me off from my race.
The years have crawled onwards, the people are slaves.
The Chosen of Yahweh fall into their graves.
So now I just wander on lonely sand
sing to my sheep and clasp empty hands.

To wander forever could well be my fate
since running away from a murderer's hate.
A passion for justice, desire to be free,
to  count Israel's children as sand by the sea.
But now I'm an outcast, my timing was wrong.
But the children of Yahweh have suffered so long.
They need a new leader with vigour and fire,
to seek after Yahweh and draw people higher.

But what do I see? The bush is on fire!
Yet nothing is burning, my soul is inspired.
Sand on my bare feet, I'm on holy ground
and Yahweh is speaking to the leader He's found.

He called me and chose me, although I fought shy,
Ran out of excuses- and oh, how I tried!
So now I will travel to Pharoah's land
release Yahweh's people from Death's clinging hand.

But what do I see? The bush is on fire!
Yet nothing is burning, my soul is inspired.
Sand on my bare feet, I'm on holy ground
and Yahweh is speaking to the leader He's found.
Yes, Yahweh is speaking to the leader He's found.

(c) Richard Starling, 1978

What’s the Catch? Look, See, Pray

This guy is a serious fisherman: he is passionate about his sport, has invested in the correct equipment, and studied his subject.

On top of that, he has the patience necessary to get results.

I find it fascinating that Jesus chose fishermen to be the first disciples. Used to a tough life, skilled at their trade, and unafraid of patient hard work- and obviously with an open heart, willing to listen. They hoped that God might do a new thing in their day, and encountering Jesus changed their lives forever.

Others listened to Jesus- up to the point where “following” was proving difficult, disappointing, and dangerous. Jesus even asked if his closest followers wanted to leave as well.

Peter answered on their behalf: “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69 The Message Translation)

Having such commitment and determination meant that those disciples would live at great risk- for a great vision, a purpose worthy of life and death. Many of them died violently.

Such obedient faith is much more than believing some facts about Jesus. It is be willing to go to great lengths in the expectation of world-transforming results: putting trust in the words of real eternal life spoken by Christ. Jesus went to a terrible execution so that all things might be reconciled to God. Another of the extraordinary followers of Jesus described Him in these terms:

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1 v17-20)

So, what is there that I will believe in, put into practice, and expect God to do through my life and passionate discipleship? The way I answer that question sums up what I might achieve through the presence and power of Jesus!