Preach Magazine Issue 5 - Preaching to the unconverted | Page 57

REFLECTION

57

Something happens when we talk of God. Something
mysterious is released invisibly into the atmosphere.
When we verbalise the love and kindness, the mercy
and the redeeming nature that is Jesus, a power hangs
in the air even after we have moved on. The miracle
that is God, is ready and waiting. Lives are affected;
minds are quieted, and sometimes irrevocably changed.
There is a trembling of movement, a breakthrough
and a flow where before there was only stagnation,
and there is fresh miraculous growth in areas of desert
sands. God is on the move.

A

nd does it matter so much
what it is we say, word for
word, and how we say it, or
is it simply that by speaking
out with a heart full of love we let
God in? The miracle happens when
we tell our own stories, of God’s
unending love, of the possibilities for
change, of the miracles then and the
miracles now.
God is on the move. In lives that
are chaotic, broken, and hopeless,
he is on the move. Bringing hope to
the darkest of places, speaking in
dreams to those who are voiceless
and washing the feet of the
unsuspecting. He’s lifting the burden
of hidden shame from world-weary
shoulders, healing wounds long
buried, and shouting out for justice
for the innocent. We can only stand
in awe and watch. And follow in his
wake, hungry for more, desperate
and willing to be part of the story
that is unfolding now. Here. Right in
front of us.
So we will tell the stories as we hear
them, speaking out with fear and
trembling. And the words? Let them
come from our hearts, from our
experience, from what we see and
know, even though at times we don’t
fully understand. As we speak, God is
there. Like a following wind bringing
the warmth of an eastern sun, he is
there. And in the silence that follows,
we can simply stand aside and let
him be who he is.

Lord, we stand overwhelmed,
By the simplicity of your message,
By the strength of your love,
And your hunger for justice.
We long to be part of this story,
Of lives rebuilt,
Of hopes restored,
Of miracles and joy,
Of perseverance and courage.
Give us hearts full of your
irrepressible love
With words which release
your power,
Hanging in the air with unseen
dynamic force,
Exploding through barriers of
race, culture and creed
And breaking down patterns of
hatred and division.
Let us be on the move,
Following you.
Jenny Hawke
Jenny Hawke is a London-based
water colour artist and author.
She uses her paintings to convey
a sense of faith, peace and beauty.
She also posts a thought for
the day and a recent painting
regularly on her Facebook page
(bit.ly/JennyHawke). Jenny’s
website is creativegrace.co.uk.