Reflections on a Journey

Introduction

From 2005, when Roger and I married, we have been on a journey together. That journey has included many, many smaller journeys and adventures; for which we give God all the glory.

Not every route we have taken, or path we have walked along, has been directly led by God, because at times we have been self motivated or failed to listen to His voice. But, by His grace, He has woven a tapestry out of those individual journeys and even allowed our diversions to bring forth His greater work of goodness in our lives.

How He does this in billions of individual lives is utterly amazing; for He alone is God.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, human beings that You care for them? “

Psalm 8:3-6

This morning God reminded us that we are His masterpiece; His workmanship, created to do good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Reflections are beautiful re-creations or representations of original things. They speak of the original in a new way. Personal reflections hopefully encourage and inspire others, too.

Here’s a photo that Roger took recently when we were sitting by a small lake in Williamsburg, Virginia. I love reflections in water, particularly when the water is clear and still.

So, in this new season, we hope to bring some reflections of our own to you. We’re working individually and together on new ways to do this.

Perhaps I could start by bringing a poem that I wrote a few weeks ago; inspired by the sense of newness that God our Creator is bringing into His creation at this time in history. The world sees and speaks of decay, climate change and disaster while God’s living Word speaks of a Kingdom of renewal, revival and refreshment by the Holy Spirit.

All things new

The One who once made all things; 
Is making all things new 
He wears a robe of faithfulness
His words are ever true

From words He made the garden 
From dust He made man’s frame
So will the new He makes today
Still bear the Maker’s Name? 

His Kingdom is upon this earth
The earth that now grows old
But glory has been promised 
And glory will unfold 

Glory like a golden oil 
Will herald His new birth 
And breaking of new waters 
Will gild the worn out earth 

We sing in expectation 
For He will do all things 
All glory still belongs to Him 
The One above all kings 

“All glory be to God on High
And to the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to man
Begin and never cease..”

So what does newness look like
If we have never seen 
The new that He’s creating 
The things that haven’t been? 

That concluding verse makes me reflect on how we understand new things when we haven’t seen them before? To me it’s saying…as you travel on your own journey keep looking for God’s newness – and ask Him to open your senses to understand what you’ve never yet seen or understood! It’s the Kingdom on earth discernible by God’s Spirit alone.

NB: As part of this newness Roger and I are trying to weave together (in God’s tapestry) a new online presence with Roger’s wonderful photos, videos and reflections and my words and poems, too. I’ll try to offer links as appropriate.