Covenant Thoughts

Traditionally, on moving into a new year, Methodist hold a covenant service, and have done so since 1755. This coming Sunday we will do the same at St Nicholas Methodist Church. Throughout this week we will delve into Wesley’s Covenant prayer and look afresh at its deeper meaning. We start with the opening phrase, “I am no longer my own but yours.”

In God’s economy, ownership is very different. The Bible tells us that we are here for but a moment, that our lives are a puff of smoke. Mother Theresa was merciless on this theme. She said that “if you have two jackets, one belongs to the poor.” This idea is radically different from what we are told today: What’s mine is mine, what is yours, I wish was mine.

One preacher tells a story of his good friend Randy, who was surviving by collecting recycled cans in the community. Randy told him that he was living miracle to miracle. He could make about £20 a day collecting pop cans. One time when he really needed a miracle, he found someone’s mobile phone in the back lane. When he returned it to the owner, they gave him twenty pounds. He was happy. The preacher said that Randy helps him redefine the term ‘enough’.

With barely enough to survive on and having lost a lot of weight in 2 months, he told about another find. He found a diamond ring set in white gold. He said, “It had five diamonds on it – worth about £500.”

The preacher thought he knew where this story was going – obviously he pawned it and was now eating like a king. But Randy said, “No, I gave it to my niece (who is more like a daughter to him), it looks beautiful on her.” The preacher was surprised how little power that ring held. He realised that Randy hadn’t let stuff take control of his life. He has learned to laugh at the stuff we take so seriously – a gut laugh, deep from his empty stomach.” 

Paul in his letter to the Galatians (2:20) explains such covenant surrender this way, “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Jesus Christ, Son of God,

help me today to find my hearts burning –

with a fiery love and devotion to you,

so that, kneeling at your feet,

I hear the tender whisper of your call

Holy Spirit, Wind of God,

open my minds to learn from Christ,

that in listening I might hear,

and in hearing I might respond,

as you invites me, to come, and die, and live.

Eternal God, Creator, Redeemer and Comforter,

hear me as I confess my wrongdoings.

Often I wear myself down with a pretence of righteousness.

Today, I throw off this attempt,

simply admitting my failure

to live in the way of Christ. Amen