sleep on it

'count the patience of our Lord as salvation'*

There are some things that really get on my nerves, make my teeth clench and my fists form. If pushed I can get into a blind rage, and seek the highest authority I can find nearby to put forth my complaint of injustice. And, worse still, if nothing seems to be happening the way I want it, I take it into my own hands and forge through on my own; sidestepping authority, ignoring advice, determined that I am right.

In the past few months I have been reading through the Psalms. Early on I came across this verse that was a bit uncomfortable. So I decided I needed to reflect on it a while, I wrote it in my journal and have tried to read it and act upon it:

"Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent."**

Be silent. I laugh when I think of that. Me, silent? I've tried fasting from talking a few times. It is amazingly challenging! But what is so overwhelming about this statement is, that I am advised to stay quiet precisely when I am burning to shout and say something!

At first I wanted to write a blog post about how sometimes it is ok, good even, to be angry and shout out against injustice. But the more I reflect on it, the more I think that's not really what it's about, bbecause the next line says:

'Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.'**

I have spoken a little in another post ('old snow') about some things God requires from our sacrifices. I will only add that our sacrifices comes hand in hand with our trust that God is who He says He is, and He has done what is written about Him in the Bible, and He will do what He has promised.

Yesterday, I was out riding my bike around town, and like in many situations, I was singing to myself. I enjoy listening to Christian music, and so it is often what comes to mind first. I found myself singing a line that struck a cord, it felt like another answer to my problem of anger...

 'Oh, if ten thousand years go by
We will wait
Let us tell of his great love
He will come
For his patience means salvation'***

God will return one day, but every day that He has not come, every night that He gives us to sleep out our anger, is another day to share His love. He is angry because he loves so deeply. He waits because he is patiently waiting for more people to repent of their selfish living and recognise Him as the Maker and Judge.

God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love****. Jesus taught that God is merciful, and in the same way we should be merciful to others. He talked about this in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant***** (I encourage you to read it for yourself). It shows how much God -the King- has forgiven me and how little in comparison I -the servant- should forgive others.

Jesus begins the Parable by saying that we should forgive a brother or sister who sins against us 'seventy seven times', meaning MANY times! We shouldn't count how many times we forgive, and at the 76th time say, this is your last chance! Rather, it is an example of the patience of God's continued forgiveness that we should continue to forgive no matter how many times.

I think this reaches further than just things that happen against us personally. I often get worked up about issues that weren't done personally against me, or affect me per se. Yet I think this 'slow to anger' still applies. To wait and sleep on it. Hopefully I will then have a better way of dealing or responding to things, than the initial passion and rage I feel like acting upon. And so now, as well as reflecting on not letting anger control me, I now remember God patience with me, which gives me the strength to do the first better.

p.s. I'm sure this 'slow to anger' is wise, as it is found numerous times in Proverbs, including 14:29, 15:18, 16:32 and 19:11!

*2 Peter 3:15 
**Psalm 4:4-5
***We Belong to the Day, by Michael Morrow (2006) 
****Psalm 86:15
*****Matthew 18:21-35

sun shine

'So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.'*

It is great being a young person! There is so much potential, so much to see and experience, learn and try! This week I have been enjoying the warmer spring weather. The highlight was sitting in a park in a city centre with the sun on my back, and the trees budding with new leaves and flowers, the sound of music drifting on the cool breeze, and no matter which direction I looked, I saw people enjoying and relaxing in the sun! Some riding their bikes or walking a dog, some eating ice cream or having a picnic, some playing a ball game or just sitting and talking.

It called to mind a section in Ecclesiastes: 

'Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.'**

We can and are allowed to enjoy life, and see things, and 'walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes' within the boundaries of what is good and right. I'd prefer to live a life without regret, but I know that is not possible. But I definitely don't want to live in denial of the fact that there is Someone who wants me to live the best I can, who wants to see me flourish and rejoice.

'Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?'***

God is good and just. He mourns the fact that I sometimes take advantage of good things, or take what is not mine to have. And like any good parent, He disciplines and wants the best for us. He will one day ask, so what did you do? and why did you do that? Why did you ignore me?

Jesus reminds us of this day, and gives us a vision of just how detailed this judgement will be. He said "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”****

So, I enocurage you to rejoice in your youth, speak thoughtfully, let your heart cheer you, enjoy the sunlight. But do not forget, God cares what you do, and how you speak. God holds out salvation -being right with God- as a free gift. His grace is for everyone like the sunlight. One day, He will decide depending on our response to what He has already done for us. Just like we enjoy the sunlight, so too we can rejoice in the love He gives, not taking it for granted.

*Romans 14:12
**Ecclesiastes 11:7-9
***Psalm 10:13
****Matthew 12:36-37

I think

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable."*

Taming the mind, I think, is one of the hardest things to do. I feel that my mind is a bit like my tongue. I once asked my dentist if he has a lot of trouble with people's tongues when he is trying to work on their teeth. On the occassion I asked him, he told me that the previous day a woman had come in, and he had been unable to do anything for her teeth, as her tongue wouldn't allow any tools in! She had appologised profucely and yet, her tongue kept doing it's own thing!

At the beginning of the year I read a good book about humility. The conclusion included some 'thoughtful' tips to help learn how to be more humble. Dickson's first point was,

'we are shaped by what we love.'**

He reminds his readers that Cognitive-behavioural therapy suggests that 'thoughts can be transformed by actions just as actions are shaped by our thoughts'**. So, I ask you, what thoughts are you thinking and how are they affecting your actions? and what are you doing that is affecting your thoughts? What do you love to think about?

I'd like to suggest one thing to do to start shaping ones actions in the direction which brings life to it's true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable fullness.

It is more than just a good way to think, it has a bigger impact than just enabling you to be more thoughful, generous, happy, or whatever. Rather, what we think about, who we think about, what we base our thoughts on, is essential to who we are!

'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.'***

The Psalms often talk about meditating on God, his mighty deeds and laws, his faithfulness and power. I believe that that is true and pure, admirable and right, honourable and lovely. Setting our mind, not just our emotions, on God through the Spirit leads to life and peace!

It's not easy to 'set your mind on the Spirit', and so I pray and declare to God, like the Psalmist did ages ago, that God might teach me his ways, his paths, his commandments, his statutes... I know I cannot do it alone,

'Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!'****

St Paul encourages us to, 'Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.'***** And by doing so, we will be taking steps towards life and peace. Now, unfortunately, however much we study and set out mind on the Spirit, there will be times that we fail, because we are still human. But that should not give us cause to give up, I assume that the lady who was at the dentist first apologised and then they found another way to control that tongue so that the dentist could get to work. In the same way, God is powerful to help us when we fail to set our thoughts on things that are of the Spirit.

* Philippians 4:8
**Humilitas by John Dickson, p174
***Romans 8:5-6 
****Psalm 143:10
*****Colossians 3:2