‘God honours our inconvenience.’
A friend recently said this as we were discussing a week of prayer at their church. I wonder if you agree?
As we approach lent, a season often associated with giving something up, maybe it’s worth considering how an element of inconvenience may deepen our relationship with God. Setting aside time in our busy days and weeks to pray, read the Bible and meet with other Christians may, at times, feel and in fact be inconvenient. However, the results can be surprising and rewarding not only for us but also for those around us. I know one of the house groups have recently used the Try Praying booklet and were encouraged by the results.
In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus instructs us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What we prioritise matters.
I think scripture is very realistic that people respond to God in different ways – from one another and in the changing phases of their lives. Some are very practical and others contemplative most are somewhere in between. This can be an expression of our personalities, preferences and experience, all of which have the potential to celebrate the creativity of creator God.
My experience has taught me that God is present in the reality of our lives, whether they be ordered or unpredictable, busy or leisurely. What makes the difference is our willingness to look for God.
The psalms constantly speak of waiting for God. God is not always obvious in his presence, and it can be the fruit of our own responses which evidence Holy Spirit at work.
Am I more loving, joy filled, patient, peaceful, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled – more like Jesus -than I was a year ago? Is it because I chose the inconvenience of looking for God and the kingdom in the world around me?
This lent season I would encourage you, in whatever way that looks like for you to look for God.
Some resources and ideas you may find helpful;
Draw Near Lent book – copies at the back of church
lectio365.com/lent
biblesociety.org.uk/resources/go-deeper-with-the-bible
tearfund.org/campaigns/lent-devotional
Choose to be accountable to someone you trust by saying “I’m aiming to increase looking for God this lent, would you ask me about that when we see each other?”
Joanne Meharg, Ministry Team