Lentil Soup: Recent Episodes
Simon Schofield
As Christians, we follow the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus, who has won the war against evil. We know we have peace with God through him. It's important we spread this good news around, showing forgiveness & aiming for reconciliation and restoration.
On a trip to Edinburgh Zoo I noticed a cheeky little bird taking a wash in a pool within the tiger enclosure....even when we are troubled by "big beasts" in our time, we are commanded to seek purity by walking with Christ. The end result, at the end of all things - we will see God.
The merciful response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been a testimony to the kindness and compassion of people who care for their neighbours. If we are Christians, we are to go further - showing mercy and naming the person (Jesus!) who gives us life in spite of darkness.
We are all tempted to fill our lives with quick fixes that "make us happy". If you are empty we are urged by the King to fill up on him and we will be satisfied.
Sitting outside in my backyard, surrounded by the sounds of inner city Edinburgh, I reflect on the justice of God and how our ambition should be to do the right thing by Him.
Meekness, the Christian characteristic of having our passions under control, leads us to being interested in and feeling responsible for our local areas. If we believe the promise of Jesus that we will inherit the earth, we find contentment in caring for our neighbourhoods.
Meekness is badly misunderstood in our age, which is all about getting bigger, faster, stronger. Meekness is a life choice, where we allow God to take control so his beauty is seen in our lives. On this International Women's Day, we give thanks for the women in our lives who have demonstrated this way to us and pray for young women that they will continue in their footsteps.
Dogs are often called "man's best friend." They can provide so much comfort to their owners. Where I live, someone is trying to harm our local dogs- where can we find comfort when our comforters are in danger?
As human beings we fumble around in darkness, trying to help ourselves out of difficult places. Jesus shows us that to be blessed is to be like him, to listen and learn from the God who weeps for us.
We have a love affair with statues and plaques commemorating the great and the good. Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. How about a statue depicting our children, who have shown us in their humility how best to behave?
The Father, through His Son, is doing something new. Each and every day he urgently calls us to enjoy his wonderful news- He's calling us home.
I don't trust myself, so I follow the crowd up the mountain, desiring to be found and taken in by Jesus....
Jesus is the King and we are to show ourselves to him - warts and all. Be flipped over so he may see us and fill us.