Where do all the lonely hearts go?
It been really great to engage with folks Sunday by Sunday on QPlive. Whether you have simply watched or actively “chatted” online there has been a real sense of community. I recall being sent to a conference as a very junior minister many years ago and being informed that the future was “hi-tech and high touch”. It has certainly felt like that. Despite the lack of physical proximity Sunday mornings have felt quite “up close and personal”. A real expression of this are the wise comments and reflections that people are sending before, during and after QPLive.
This week we were thinking about how trauma and failure affect us and how we can grow through these crises. Many of you have made my job so much easier by passing on your own contributions.
So here is a small sample:
Anthea McNeil quotes Oswald Chambers. “I have always loved this quotation, but even more so right now”. She says.
“What is my dream of God’s purpose? His purpose is that I depend on him and on his power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working on a particular finish; His end is the process – that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that all is right because I see Him walking on the sea…His purpose is for this minute, not for something in the future”.
Ruth Millican sent in this beautiful poem she wrote as she responded to her own trauma.
Release
The pain of loss, the tears you shed,
Rejection’s hurts that go so deep,
You’ve known the ache of broken heart,
The loneliness of friends who’ve gone.
My child, I understand.
I know life’s bitter taste.
Bury your pain
In the depth of my love,
My love that is deeper than any loss.
Come to me now in all your pain.
Bring me your tears, your suffering.
I’ll heal the ache of that broken heart,
Restore and refresh, completely renew.
My child, I understand.
I know life’s bitter taste.
Bury your pain
In the depth of my love,
My love that is deeper than any loss.
Look now at the cross,
The rejection, the pain,
My friends who deserted,
The heartache of loss.
You know I understand.
I’ve tasted suffering.
Bury your pain
In the depth of my love,
My love that is deeper than any loss.
My love has triumphed over pain.
Resurrection love that never ends.
Bury your pain
In the depth of my love,
My love that is deeper than any loss.
Jean Munro contributed these thoughts
I love Teresa of Avila’s input. I love that she was “unapologetically who she was – facing the full gamut of human emotions and the human condition – and using that as the fuel that fired her relationship with God. Its only as I come to God in utter reality as I am – does true healing begin. She reiterates again and again that union with God is experienced EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE NOW – not where we think we should be or who we think we should be.
During my Spiritual Exercise retreat – I spent 2 days meditating on today’s scripture (that’s what happens when you have 30 days to do nothing but pray!!!). I argued with Jesus for 2 days that I couldn’t get out the boat – that I wasn’t willing to give up everything – to serve him – to forgive myself. In the end I remember almost hearing an audible voice both loving and tender – with perhaps a hint of loving exasperation – saying “Jean – just come with whatever it is you feel you can bring just now – but just come … and have your breakfast”. That phrase resonates again and again through life when I begin to have any doubts or struggles – and hear Jesus saying “Jean just come and have your breakfast” – and needless to say once there – as I am – the Lord sorts whatever it is out.
Graeme Duffin has been involved in this amazing Blessing South Africa project which will I know will really speak to you. I encourage you to click the link and receive the Blessing!
Graeme says.
“Nick Lear, a friend of Mike Bradnam’s, was over here visiting a couple of years back, Mike introduced us as Nick, a videographer to trade, was working with people in a (somewhat dangerous) deprived township, and realised the musicians and singers had nothing, no facilities to be creative so wanted us to meet up. I showed him around, figured out what he would need to get the audio side going in setting up a small studio out there, and got him kitted out before he left to go back.
He got me in to sort out the audio for this wonderful video, most of the singing was done into a phone in far from ideal conditions, but I think the finished article is very moving and powerful. Having worked on this, I feel I already know some of the characters!
It was a joy and privilege to be involved in this,
Graeme
https://youtu.be/8EPcd0B5SNs ”
So from us to you…
Have hi-tech, high touch week