On the Edge...
....of a city
I stand on the windows edge looking out over the world. The
city below throbs with light and sounds, the lullaby for countless children. City
children grown used to the smog, the dirt and the endless rush of people trying
to get to their next appointment.
I read somewhere that it’s ok to sometimes just sit and
enjoy God’s world; but how can I? How can I stay still when there are still
paths that I have yet to travel? How can I sleep at night knowing that every
second someone is hurting, needing and dying?
From up here, God’s world really is beautiful. Stepping back
like this to see the glorious whole of creation. Why then can we not always see
this beauty in the details of our daily life? Maybe the throbs of the city and the
pace modern life cause us to be so over stimulated that we can no longer sense
the very detail that displays God’s beautiful word...Maybe that’s why we still
see His Glory in the mountains we pass.
...of the ocean
A new day, a new edge. My favourite edge. Swaying on a boat
looking out across a glimmering ocean. The sun’s patterns on the water’s
surface are perfect geometric equations like the art illustrating a single
circular staircase always going up and (at the same time) forever going down.
When I look at the sea I feel a sense of peace and incomprehensible
belonging. It calls to me and yet allows me space to think. To be. I
feel close to God and prayer comes as naturally as breathing. Maybe it’s the
vastness of the ocean. The mysteries that lie within. The adventures that a
life at sea promises.
The sea invites you to dive straight in. To commit totally
to Jesus, change your life, be reborn, love more.
The sea is terrifying. It threatens drowning for anyone at
any time- even strong swimmers... Ever see a minister loose his faith?
Capsized boats...Casualties comforted by the support of
their faith communities and the promise of everlasting life with Jesus. Very
few return to land completely dry- we are all made in God’s image, we all have
Jesus within us, a natural compulsion to seek God and question- “Why?”
...of a prayer
God, I ask you to help me recognize that I’m not satisfied
just standing on the edge. How can I answer your siren call? Do you want me to
dive in Lord?
I am here Lord.
Tamsin Smith 23-06-2013