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Reverend Paul Collings BTh (Hons) - - - - paul.collings@methodist.org.uk - - - - 01392 206229 - - - - 07941 880768

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Wednesday 31 January 2024

Celtic Reflections


Today, John Bell says to us, “continual engagement with whatever saps our energy and dulls our imagination is not good for us.” In light of this I want to ask, what in the early Christian tradition energised the followers of Jesus? 

Is the secret not what the early day disciples did, but what God did in and through them. “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ.” (Ephesians 2v. 5)


What does it mean to be alive in Christ? It does not mean that you must have your life together. Being alive in Christ does not mean that you are happy all the time. It does not mean that your life is as beautiful and put-together as your Facebook posts.  Being alive in Christ does not mean we will be in a constant state of smiles and joy. Being alive in Christ means our foundation is so strong that even when the storms come, we can live through them. Even when we were dead in our sins, God gave us life through Christ.


If our foundation on Christ is right, then the Christ that is within will build our lives into strong towers if faith. 


Prayer Reflection


Even when we were dead, Paul writes.

Even when we turned away from the One who had created us.

Even when we lived in the grip of what drew our gaze from God.

Even when we were oblivious.

Even when we followed a path fashioned of nothing

but our own desires.

Even when we wandered far and wilfully away.

Even when we forgot to look past our own feet and to see

the wonders not of our making.

Even when we failed to stand in awe, to breathe thanks,

to lean into the love that had waited long for us.

Even when, Paul writes.

Even when,

even then:

grace. Thank you Lord. Amen


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