CS Lewis cautions us to remember that, Aslan is not a tame lion. Pete Greig in his book, God in Mute adds this reference to an old Hebrew saying: ‘God is not a kindly uncle; He is an earthquake’ (John Kirvan ‘God Hunger’ p50). It makes me ask the question, yet again, what is my image of God?
Am I prepared for him to be a lion (or lioness) or an earthquake with the destructive nature of both of those things? Earthquakes, while destructive and frightening can also have unexpected consequences, for example in 2016 the earthquake in Missouri redirected the enormous Mississippi river, which probably had both devastating effects and positive effects. Perhaps, sometimes, we actually need rivers to be redirected or paths to be stopped? To allude to the title of another book, is our God too small? By saying this I am not advocating calling down God’s judgment or proclaiming some of the harsh and harder texts found in the Psalms, but surely we have to allow God, in his sovereignty to be God, and perhaps you, like me, shy away from this?
So to pose a couple of questions then:
What is one area where you would dearly like to see a breakthrough in your life, in your ministry or in your church?
Who is God in that situation to you and in what way do you pray?
I have recently read God on Mute by Pete Grieg and I find this an interesting reflection:
‘If an angel was to appear right now and tell you that your very next prayer would bring the breakthrough you’ve been longing for, I guarantee you’d be on your knees in a flash! How would you respond if that angel told you to pray daily for a year and that miracle would take place instantly on the 365th time? Would you do it? Probably! We have no idea how long it’s going to take but Jesus Himself has already told us not to give up. The apostle Paul says that ‘suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope’ Rom 5:3-4’ (God on Mute pg224)
What is your response to that and how does it impact your answer to the question above?
I believe that in the same way that Jesus pushed through for us in Gethsemane, on the cross, in the grave and still today in the heavenlies, he still calls us to push through in prayer, to seek breakthrough and to persevere.
This verse in Romans deeply challenges those of us who live a relatively soft and simple Christian life: ‘suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope’ Rom 5:3-4’ For suffering is something we do not seek or wish to experience, but I have certainly known God more deeply and prayed more passionately in the darkest moments of my life, for it is in these times when beauty does rise from the ashes.
So back to those questions then:
What is one area where you would dearly like to see a breakthrough in your life, in your ministry or in your church?
Who is God in that situation to you and in what way does that encourage you to pray?
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