REFLECTIONS

Time with Jesus - Saturday, 31 December 2011

The end of an era is usually denoted by a few profound words. Few words in all of history were more profound than those Jesus spoke immediately prior to dismissing His Spirit and giving His body over to death. John’s Gospel records the incident as follows: ²⁹ A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to His lips. ³⁰ When Jesus had tasted it, He said, "It is finished!" Then He bowed His head and released His spirit. John 19:29-30 NLT

One of the commentaries interprets the words as, “It is accomplished”. It’s clear that He had completed everything His Father had sent Him to earth to complete. Nothing remained outstanding. He had done it all! In fact it is these very words that tell us that the way back to God was open.

Another comment which I noted was the one that indicated that the campaign was over. All that was required was the mopping up which He had left to His followers. My problem with this statement is that it suggests that He had not quite achieved everything necessary.

From our perspective and looking back on 2011 we can also say, “It is finished”. I’ve completed one full year of daily devotions in rhyme and metre using the Daily Light Morning Scriptures. It’s been great fun as well as a challenge. At the beginning of the year I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. Having reached the end there is a feeling of achievement at having accomplished my goal. In this regard, thanks so much for the helpful comments and constructive criticism from friends and relations all over South Africa.

Where to next? Well the next task is to get 2011 devotionals compiled into a book. Hopefully, that will be complete by the middle of February and I’ll be able to let you all know the cost of the book.

At the same time, the plan is to produce another yearly book of daily devotions. This time it will be based on the Daily Light Evening Scriptures. For some reason the evening Scriptures have never been as popular as the morning ones. I don’t know why. Perhaps we will find out as we progress through the year?

Today’s meditation is a reflection on 2011. The Scriptures appear to focus on looking back over a period of time. So this morning’s meditation comprises a short review of 2011 from Phyllida’s and my point of view.

Once again, thanks for your support. We are looking forward to a new year with a new goal; to complete the devotional for 2012.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Reflections

O Lord as I reflect upon what’s happened in my life,

There’s so much to be thankful for. Especially my wife.

You brought us both together some thirty years ago,

And gave us both a blessing which is more that we could know.

O Lord it’s clear You carried us each step along the way.

It is the only reason why we are here today.

You brought us out of Egypt as if on eagle’s wings;

And multiplied our union with so many different things.

Indeed Lord, You redeemed us. You set us both aside.

You’ve cared for us and blessed us, as though we are Your bride.

Your presence hovered over us; You saw we were protected.

You set us on a journey which will end when we’re perfected.

No foreign god was with us. You did it on Your own.

We tried to be obedient and do the things You’ve shown.

We know that there were errors when we just plunged ahead.

But even in these failures, You were our “living bread”.

And Lord we both are aging. Our hair has now gone grey.

We haven’t got the energy that we had yesterday.

But that is not important because we still have You.

And by Your Holy Spirit’s power, we’ll do what we must do.

We know there’s no compulsion. We do it out of love,

Because You are our Father, the God Who reigns above.

Thank You for Your faithfulness throughout the former years.

Thank You for the laughter, the good times and the tears.

Thank you we are standing where a new year will begin.

And that Your loving presence will keep us free from sin.

Thanks there are no reasons to be frightened or dismayed.

Thank You for the certainty that when You are obeyed,

Tomorrow will present to us an opportunity,

To follow where You’re leading, wherever that might be.

Help us to hear clearly. Help us make a vow,

To do what You are saying, regardless where or how.

For Lord, You are the potter and we are just the clay

Longing to be used by You in each and every way.

So as we fix our focus on the year that lies ahead,

Give us both the power to go where we are led.

To keep on being faithful right to the very end.

Trusting in the only One on Whom we can depend.

Jim  Strickland- Written 31^st December 2011