We spent some time chatting about our weeks 'rhythm' reflections, then sharing a breaking of bread - which focussed on joining the feast (Luke Chapter 5 verses 33 to the end) so just a short and simple meditation tonight, using two of the passages from our 'rhythm' & two tracks from Zero7 "Simple Things" ['give it away' and 'simple things']...
Don't imagine us leaders to be something we aren't. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God's most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment. So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of-inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the “Well done!” of God.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5Get insurance with GOD and do a good deed, settle down and stick to your last. Keep company with GOD, get in on the best. Open up before GOD, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done: He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Quiet down before GOD, be prayerful before him. Don't bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top. Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes-it only makes things worse.
Psalm 37: 3-8
We began by reflecting on two dimensions of ourselves - our strengths and our weaknesses... then there was the following led meditation (précis)...
Hold your hands out in front of you palm facing upwards...
...first be aware of your strongest hand, the hand you favour, the hand which you naturally use first... picture in the palm of that hand the things which you believe to be your strengths; the things which you feel are your territory, the things which you feel you can do comfortably and with confidence, the things which you have tried and tested over the years... the things which you are proud of and would expect God to use first and foremost...
...now become aware of your weaker hand, the hand with which many things just seem to be uncomfortable, unnatural... picture in the palm of this hand the things which you consider to be your weaknesses; the things for which you always defer to others, the things which you dread the thought of doing, that make your heart pound and your head spin, the things which you hide from others, from God and from yourself, the things you believe you are incapable of... the things you are most scared of and which you cannot possibly imagine God using...
Do not predict what God can use, God wants us to offer all we have, all we are for God's service and to bring Shalom to this world for which we have responsibility... in your strong hand you hold the things of which you are confident even proud... God says "let go of them they are mine, do not build your life around which you can comfortably accomplish... rather build in around faith and trust in me"... in your weaker hand you hold the things which you do not believe you can do, the things that scare you... let them go into the world for God's service... God perfects that which we give, God uses our vulnerability, God needs our humility...
In the centre of the room there are two groups of candles; one in the shape of a triangle, representing God - Creator, Christ and Breath - the divine... one in the shape of a circle, representing Earth, God's creativity & our responsibility - the here and now...
Light a candle in the Triangle (God) to symbolise letting go of your strengths and confidence, your trust in your own ability, to God. Take a moment to give God everything that you are, have been and will be... Now light a candle in the Circle (the world), symbolising giving up your temptation to dictate to God what you are called to do. Let go of the ease of working within your boundaries, to allow God to call you in your weakness in service to the world...
We finished with intercessory prayer.
Technorati Tags: Prayer: Rythmn: Spirituality: Worship
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