Day 28 – Issue 16

Be Still Know

Galatians 1:13 NLT

‘You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion – how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.’

Ananias in response to God chose to risk all in visiting Saul and praying for his eyes to be opened. He might in all good conscience have chosen not to take the risk in approaching this famed murderer of Christians. However, as he obeyed God, his eyes were opened, together with Saul’s. The mission of the Church advanced, yet we have no further record of either Ananias or Paul meeting again. As they looked back over their life narrative, I trust they were able to respect and bless one another for the way in which God’s purpose was advanced.

Our lives offer a story. One that’s unknown gazing forward, yet a clear narrative as one looks back over the years. How we interpret that narrative owes much to our prevailing mood and personal character; are we pessimistic or optimistic by nature? It also owes much to how others read our history.

Last New Year I sent an email to those I’d known over my many years. I stated early on it was more important for me to write than for them to read. Its substance was to thank them for their contribution in helping me on my way, despite the challenges I’d presented and behaviours that at times were unacceptable and difficult to handle. I acknowledged relationships are forged for a variety of reasons and few are enduring through every season of life.

As I entered a new season of stillness and solitude, I wanted to thank them for their contribution, much of which I imagine they were blind to, yet without my histrionics and how they played out I would not have found my way to the intimate place with God I today enjoy.

While we may never see them again as the future unfolds, we can at least pray and bless them and pray that their eyes, and ours, are opened.

QUESTION: Do you hold people captive to their past behaviours and actions?

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, for all those who have shaped my life, but help me see that who we are is not who we will always be.