Letting things go

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

A story is told of the famous inventor Samuel Morse who was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn't know what to do. Morse responded, "More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding.”

Morse received many honours from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me.”

It is interesting in this first letter  of Peter that we should get these words of humility. We recall that Peter knew what it meant to be brought low, to trip along the way as well as what it meant to be recalled by the gentle chiding of Jesus.

John Gowans, a favourite christian poet of mine puts such circumstances in this way, a way that we too may well adopt as we journey through Advent:-

Knowing my failings, knowing my fears, 

Seeing my sorrow, drying my tears, 

Jesus recall me, me re-ordain,

You know I love you, use me again;

You know I love you, use me again.

I have no secrets unknown to you,

No special graces, talents are few;

Yet your intention I would fulfil,

You know I love you, ask what you will; 

You know I love you, ask what you will.

For the far future I cannot see, 

Promise your presence, travel with me, 

Sunshine or shadows? I cannot tell; 

You know I love you, all will be well; 

You know I love you, all will be well.