Revd Sara’s Reflection Sunday July 7th 2024
Pause for a moment, take a deep breath, take another deep breath, and be still (if possible, hold the stillness for a couple of minutes).
Creator God, I come in a space of prayer to give you thanks.
I bring thanks for new days, fresh starts and opportunities,
For this world you have created for us.
Thank you for your love, for your presence in my life.
Forgiving God, I am sorry my life can seem like a whirlwind, not taking time to stop and appreciate your world, and the relationships that are all around me.
Show me how to love, show me how to follow you, show me how to be your disciple, this and every day. Amen. You may now wish to say the Lord’s Prayer in a version or translation with which you are familiar.
Bible Reading: Mark 6:1-13
When you read the Gospel of Mark, you meet Jesus beginning his public ministry. From his baptism to facing temptations in the wilderness, and calling his first disciples, these stories lay a foundation of humility and service. Jesus did not start his work in grandeur but in the simplicity and struggles of human life.
Perhaps you know the feeling of not being ready or equipped for a task or calling. The fear, the uncertainty, the sense of inadequacy… Perhaps you can relate!
But, despite his uncertainty, despite the rejection, Jesus begins his ministry – refusing to be defined by being ‘the carpenter’ that people knew. He does not fit in the box people try to put him in. And why is this? Because divine strength doesn’t look like human strength. It’s not about overpowering or overwhelming; it’s about surrendering and finding God’s presence in our most vulnerable moments.
If your weaknesses were suddenly transformed into strengths, how would that change your approach to challenges, relationships, or ministry? Reflect on this, and write down your thoughts, if you would like to.
As you reflect on these scriptures today, may you embrace your full humanity – your strengths and your weaknesses. Our human vulnerabilities are not just obstacles; they are the very places where God’s grace can most profoundly work.
As you journey through this week, consider how you might be able to use your weaknesses for the greater good, and how you might lean more on your strengths – so you spend more time doing what you do best.
love and prayers Revd Sara
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