Monthly Archives: November 2011

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Psalm 119:15

The Weaver

Weaving has a long tradition in the Bible. In Exodus we are told that the Tabernacle curtains were woven, in Psalm 139 the psalmist writes of God weaving us together in the depths of the earth and, of course, Jesus’ tunic at the time of his crucifixion was woven, seamlessly .

Why am I writing about weaving? Well, my wife of many talents is adding this skill to her list of craft abilities. Every time she expands her skills I feel like more of a clutz, but it also reminds me that God has made us all unique and special. Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory reminds us that we all have areas of gifting/smarts/intelligence. Really, however, God has been telling us that all along in His Word.

In the Psalms, David tells us that we have been wonderfully  made. In fact, much of Psalm 139 reminds us that we are special to God. There are echoes in this Psalm of the fact that we were made in God’s own image. We are not rubbish to be thrown away. Even though we have rebelled and sinned against God, the God of Psalm 119 sent His son to die on the cross in our place.

Like me, you may at times feel like a clutz, or a failure or unworthy – supply your own put down, but as God’s creation and with the possibility, in Christ, of being His renewed creation, there is not no need for any of these feelings. So when you feel like a clutz, return to Psalm 119 and be reminded by the Psalmist how special you are.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

I remember standing in the centre of the roundabout, Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe stands. It was a busy part of the day (when isn’t it?) and cars were streaming from the 12 avenues that surround it into the maelstrom that sits at the heart of Paris. This vision reminded me why I had left the car at the station and taken the Metro.

Each car, scooter, truck and motorbike was on a mission, in the midst of this turbulence, that was only known to the driver. From the centre of the roundabout it looked chaotic: tooting, honking, cars weaving and narrowly missing each other. Each driver, though, had a plan and direction.

For God, His earth must look like a enormous roundabout with all of us trying to achieve our individual purposes. Each of us is busily heading in our own direction. The big difference is, however, that God knows each person, each direction and even each hair on each head. He knows those travelling for Him and those against Him; and even those who say one thing but travel in a totally different direction.

On this tempestuous journey we call life, the question needs to be asked, is your direction God inspired or ‘you” inspired? Life may seem mad and confusing at times but when God and His Word direct our journey it all starts to make sense.

A Detail from the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Reflections on Matt 1:18-23 continued

Joseph is, in many ways, an unsung hero in the Christmas story. His quiet grace and gentleness, in what was an extraordinary revelation, is an inspiration and challenge to us all. Imagine the facts, details and emotions he had to assimilate in a short period of time after the angel’s revelation. There would have been shock and the initial disappointment to overcome. Yet his response to God’s revelation and will, is a lesson for anyone who claims to be a follower of God.

Joseph’s desire to treat Mary with respect right from the beginning is a testament to his character. When all the details were made clear to him, his complete and willing obedience leaves most of us in the shade.

Joseph’s attitude is a lesson for me, and possibly you too. As a child of God our life and our life’s purpose are in God’s hands. Our willing obedience is used by God to advance His Kingdom. In Joseph’s case, this purpose of God involved the crux of salvation history. In own individual cases it won’t be that dramatic, and yet, our lives and obedience are still important. Like Joseph, God has made us for His purposes too.

P.S. The short poem “What lord?” was inspired by this passage too.