Picture Credit: sacredjourneysracine.com
By the time you read this I should
be recovering at home from having a cataract removed from my eye on June 01st.
Normally it only takes a few days for the effects to be fully realised so
hopefully by middle of next week, I can return to normality. Mrs C however has decided
to confine me to barracks for the first few days which is not as fraught as it may
sound. There is first of all, the small matter of a Test Match starting on Thursday
(England v Ireland at Lords), a warm-up for the Ashes this summer against the
visiting Aussies. Being a fan of bat and ball games at this time of year there
is also Roland Garros (French Open Tennis) and on Friday or early hours of
Saturday, baseball featuring New York Mets v Toronto Blue Jays. Being a
die-hard Blue Jay’s fan what could be a better way of aiding recovery? Stopping
their current losing streak might help!
What it may also provide is an
opportunity to reassess one’s literary activity and consider in the light of “improved
clarity” of vision, how we can utilise our God-given abilities to honour and
praise the Almighty while at the same time, staying true to the demands of our
chosen genres and ever-shifting tastes of our readerships.
At the time of writing, I am
preparing to lead worship this coming Sunday for Pentecost (May 28th)
and in reading 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 4-13, Paul states that there are
a variety of gifts there is only one spirit, and while there are many varieties
of service and activity, it is the same God who activates them in everyone. We
are all called to utilise our gifts in God’s service for we are all as verse 13
articulates, made to drink of one spirit.
As a network of writers whose
inspiration is rooted firmly in our Christian faith, I never cease to be amazed
at the immense variety of work that is produced by our members and not just
solely confined to this blog. Just as the fires of Pentecost instilled into the
disciples the power and capability to preach the Good News in Jerusalem, we too
are inspired by our own internal flames of creativity, being guided by the
spirit which God sends to direct our steps. This verse from Proverbs 16 v9 says
it all, “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
All of us have experienced
that feeling of lack of inspiration in our writing lives, where we seem bereft
of ideas which not only utilises our talents, but also ensures we do justice to
spreading in a meaningful way the Good News of Jesus Christ in whichever method
or genre the spirit takes us. Humanity, especially among the creative ones, do
not always understand the virtue of patience.
I for one will certainly be
using the time given to reassess how/where I can make a difference to how we
articulate our faith in an increasingly secular and apathetic world. The season
of Easter culminating with Pentecost, always allows an opportunity to become
re-energized with the Spirit by which we are directed in our endeavours whatever
they may be. It is this through this re-energising that we can achieve that clarity
of vision we all seek.
May
we continue to walk as children of light, and never wander from our holy calling.
Michael Cronogue
originally from London now residing in Walsall in the Black Country region of
UK. Writer and blogger discussing matters of faith and theology on his website www.michaelcronogue.com
As technology has developed so much in all our life-times, it has become in many ways easier to share our faith and in many ways more difficult. One teacher I worked with said she wished she could take bits from different religions. As she expanded on the theme, it seemed she wanted the fun times without the commitment. Perhaps as we live and work with people from other faiths, we will become more tolerant and more understanding, because surely, people who love and respect each other are all God's children, and God is always inclusive and forgiving. Those who believe He is just for them, or who stray into judgement and condemnation, are themselves straying from the way, the truth and the life.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Veronica. As someone who is part of a multi-faith Chaplaincy and who is by theological persuasion a pluralist never has it been more important to reach out to other faith traditions who share so many similar values of love and compassion as we do.
DeleteLovely post, Michael! I particularly like how you compared our receiving our writing gifts with the 'gift of tongues' the apostles received on Pentecost. May our writings, whatever the genres, bring in all the lost sheep in to our Shepherd's fold to His glory! Amen.
ReplyDeleteHow is your eye health? The best news is that you would see things much more clearer than when you used glasses[if you used one] and before the cataract!
A big AMEN to your prayer for us to remain 'walking as children of light' and 'never wander from our holy calling.' In the might name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you Sophia for your kind comments. The eye is healing nicely am able to read and respond from my phone rather than lap top. Six weeks should see my fully discharged.
ReplyDelete