A Question and Answer – Reflections and Lessons from Life as a Christian

Hi Graham.  It’s been a while since I asked you a question on the Explore to Inspire website so I thought I would take this opportunity to come up with something I’ve been wondering about for a while.

When we get to a certain stage in our lives, we look back and review incidences and experiences which have happened to us. Happy things, not-so-happy things, lessons learned, wisdom gleaned, etc. One of my own particular regrets is that I wish I’d taken life a bit more slowly instead of rushing round to pack so many things into every day. This has been a double-edged sword in that I’m very glad and fortunate, so far, to have lived life to the full but, on the other hand, I wish I’d told my 20-year-old self to slow down a bit!

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Another great lesson I’ve learned for myself is that I wish I’d been much bolder and maybe less of a people-pleaser. It’s never too late to teach old dogs new tricks, as they say, so better late than never!!

Jesus spoke in parables many times and illustrated some simple moral and ethical truths in a very descriptive and relatable way. What do you think are the most important lessons for us in the Bible? What stories did Jesus speak of when he came down to Earth which are still important to us now?  And have you any personal experiences or wise advice that you can share for people to learn lessons from?

Rev Graham replies:

Great to have you back Carol and thank you for your very interesting and thought provoking question.

Looking Back

I think it is quite natural to look back on those experiences in life we have faced, overcome or been overwhelmed by! However, I equally think that there may be little value in looking back when we should be enjoying the present and continuing to press forward into the future.

A lesson may be learned about looking back through the example of Lot’s wife as found in Genesis 19 and Luke 17: 20. Two angels instructed Lot to flee for their lives from Sodom with his wife and two daughters and not to look back. Unfortunately Lot’s wife succumbed to the temptation and was subsequently turned into a pillar of salt.

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What we may glean from this situation is that it is very important to hold on to what we believe God has called us to, even if we have to let go and move on from situations and people. Also that we should not linger in regrets and sins from the past as they can affect any current spiritual vibrancy and obedience to the Lord.

Hebrews 10: 39 bears out that we should not shrink back or give up in life or our faith as it displeases the Lord. The legendry Frank Sinatra is known for his song My Way and in it he confesses that he had a few regrets in life. It is important to live our lives slowly or quickly as we see fit but it has to be coupled to God’s perfect will for us in every situation we move into so that any regrets are minimal.

Forgiven and Renewed

At the heart of the Christian message is the gift of being forgiven of all of our short comings before the Lord and find complete renewal and restoration. We can place all our life experiences in appropriate categories with a God given acceptance. We can trust in God’s continual healing and a hope and purpose for each day, body, mind and spirit. When we ‘cross the bar’ from our earthly homes to our heavenly homes we have that ‘sure and certain hope’ that we will be reunited with all our former loved ones.

Too Slow or to Quick

It is true Carol that we can be too busy and quick in life when it might have been more beneficial to be a bit slower and appreciative of life. Yet for many of us there will have been times when we should have acted quicker and bolder and seized the opportunities before us rather than let them pass us by. To have some ‘what if’s’ is quite normal and yes some ‘I should have done’ as well.

I think our characters, however they have been formed, in family relationships, education and other life relationships, will have had a very specific bearing on personal choices and confidences. It affects how we may look back and move forward. Yes we can be to blunt or not bold enough. We can be too independent and self-sufficient, as well as being too placid and people pleasers.

Lessons from the Bible

In regard to the teachings of Jesus he certainly makes it clear that if we have a vibrant and spiritual relationship with our creator God. It will bring to us more stability and peace in all our life choices and experiences as exampled in many of Jesus’ Parables and in his Sermon on the Mount.

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It is important to believe in the Christian gospel and teachings from the Bible that takes us into church worship and attendance. The follow on from that is to live a disciplined and holy lifestyle that will bring us into conflict with the way the world wants us to live. The result will be that we have a sure and firm faith that is lived in a holy way like Jesus and not in an irreligious or pompous many.

As we live out our Christian life through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit we will be able to be that ‘Salt and Light’ God wants us to be in the present and be an example and witness for the future generation to come.

Be Strong and Bold

I have two scriptures that have helped me in my Christian walk.

Firstly from Joshua 1: 9 ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’.

Jesus was bold when he completed his first miracle in providing wine at a wedding. He boldly healed on a Sabbath. He contradicted religious piety and law. He walked humbly and associated himself with all people’s that included the poor, sinner and religious people of his day! Jesus knew where he was going in life and sought strength from the ministering Angels and the Holy Spirit.

The Second scripture is Matthew 25: 31-46.

In a very challenging and instructive manner it differentiates between sheep and goats, real and false piety. The life of Jesus can be seen in us as we feed, visit, cloth and care for all those we meet who require help. I found the application of this teaching quite a challenge, especially when I worked in a local housing scheme offering support to ex-offenders, and those with mental, drug and alcohol problems. However, with the help from the Lord we definitely made a difference in the God given love and care we offered. 

Take Away

In life I have made some very bold decisions that could have been seen as to hasty. Certainly by design or by default I have not made, some decisions that I should have done that resulted in certain consequences.

I ended my apprenticeship as a Heating Engineer early, so as to take up further education that has opened different doors. I have started, ended and continued various projects that came to me out of the blue and some I carefully planned and prepared for. In my forty plus years as a Christian Minister I have had to listen very carefully to the promptings from the Lord. It has been an amazing joy and privilege to care, love and serve so many individuals from birth, mid-years, to the ending of their earthy lives.

God is real and his personal presence is real. The Lord provides and protects us. He speaks lovingly and loudly when we are not hearing or listening to him. He speaks gently and slowly and persistently knocks on the door of our hearts wanting the very best for us and all those we love and care for. In Psalm 138: 8 we have a promise that ‘The Lord will fulfil and complete, his purposes, outlined for each one of us’.

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Jesus, in some of his final words to his disciples says in John 14: 1-6, 27 that when troubles come our way, we can find a peace that we cannot fully understand or comprehend but one that is adequate to the concerns we face and for that we may be eternally grateful.

Graham

Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship on exploretoinspire.uk