Running toward life with love

This morning’s readings are very confronting, in the sense that introduce us to really tough questions and force us to review how we perceive God and ourselves with him.

The interesting thing is, that these readings put ford questions and concepts that we might come to church to avoid thinking about. For example where does suffering come from and does God use it?

Acts 8, puts us right in the middle of it doesn’t it?

It shows the apostles burying one of their own; it shows Paul stoking the fires of oppression and hatred what do the apostles do?

They run toward the flames, instead of running away and what are they doing while they’re running? They are proclaiming God’s love.

In certainly is an interesting image to unpack, given the fact that there schools of thought within Christianity that deny or ignore suffering altogether.

You have probably heard me say it before; I don’t believe that God causes suffering or uses it to teach us lessons.

What I do believe is that God is with us no matter what God is with us and is guiding us always.

In fact, if we look at the end of the scripture, we see life and joy: and we Know that it’s not the end of Paul’s story either; he moves on to become one of The greatest voices for Christ of all time. Some have said you couldn’t have a Christian faith without Paul. Recent events in our nation, show us there’s always love to discover and live out. In fact, one point to reflect on might be that suffering and set backs create spaces for a greater display of love and grace. While the idea of embracing suffering and walking through it; may seem like The last thing any of us would want to do;

The good news is, John gives us another view; in John Jesus reminds us that it is God who draws us near and cares for us, it is God that does the work to change us and the world around us.

As followers of Christ, we are being invited to do two things Firstly, we are invited to partake in the life sustaining love of God Secondly, we are being asked to participate in sharing the life giving bread that Jesus offers. I just love the image of eternal bread.

We are be are being offered the chance to eat of the eternal.

Eating his bread means listening and heeding his call.

Prayer is being drawn to a deeper communion with God.

Which in turn, draws us to loving and giving; it has us speaking heart to heart with God and each other.

I like what one commentator said, when he compared it to a car’s sat-nav.

Which provides us with information and gives direction.

Are you listening to yours?

What are you hearing?

What are you eating?

What are you hungry for?

What are you feeding others?

I hope you’ll join me in pondering these questions, as we continue to rest in and Feed off the life of God: Knowing no matter what we are completely loved.