Daily Picture

Frames

Today I saw square frames in the distance, as of lenses of specialised spectacles or simply as picture frames. The word 'frame' could indicate these physical frames but also framework for our thinking, our words, our perspectives etc. Just on Wednesday I quoted Psalm 139:15: "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, ...". This encourages me to think on the fact that not only do we have the frame of our body but also of our life. I like to think that our lives are not just linear, so a fine prescribed line to walk along. It is within a frame in which we have free will and space to make mistakes but still within the confines of God's love and grace. Like coloured balls being shaken up and down to eventually settle, may we settle into God's ways as we increasingly learn to trust Him. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's Will us, His good, pleasing and perfect Will" (Romans 12:2).

A landline telephone

Today I saw, in my mind's eye, an old fashioned telephone which has a separate finger groove for each of the numbers 0-9, that has to be individually turned clockwise, as representing the person being called's telephone number, until the finger reaches resistance and then the next number in the sequence is dialled. This is a good reminder of the variations in telephones and in ways to call someone. Similarly God wants us to call Him by whatever method comes naturally to us. King David, who had had to rely on so much help from the Lord, was able to confidently declare that, "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). 'All' is inclusive, with no stipulation on age, status, religion, words to be used, place, time etc. The emphasis is on calling God and He will be there. Our method of calling and God's method of replying are not stipulated. "in truth" means that we are to come as we are, whether we are tired, angry, sad, lacking in faith etc. Call God. All of us are eligible.

Counting the hairs on our head

Today I continue on the theme of hairs on our head. Jesus said that he knows how many hairs are on each one of our heads (see Luke 12) which is the same as saying that he knows us intimately, and more so as the number changes constantly. King David reminds us in his Psalm 139:13,16: "For You created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be". If God knows our entire life in advance, why don't we relax and let Him direct our lives every day?

Like a bridge over troubled water

Today I was reminded of Simon and Garfunkel's iconic song, "Bridge over Troubled Water". Apparently Paul Simon wrote this as a comforting secular but spiritually inspired song, offering unwavering support during difficult times. This was written during the turbulent 60s in the States, with massive activism for equality, the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, and assassinations of President John F Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr and Robert F Kennedy. Interestingly, Art Garfunkel had wanted the addition of a third verse as he thought the original version with two verses was too short. The third verse includes the words "Sail on Silver Girl" which was a playful phrase towards Simon's then wife who had noticed her first grey hairs. All this makes me think of how God comforts us with the small things such as the new grey hairs as well as with extremities such as of war. The wise book Proverbs, chapter 16 is full of positive thinking and positive advice. For instance, Verse 31 tells us that 'Grey hair is a crown of glory' ; verse 32 tells us that "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city". God is a constant over-arching bridge over troubled water with his wisdom, strength and comfort.

Viewing part of a whale

Today I saw a partial picture of a whale, reminding me that I have a limited knowledge of whales, that humans have hardly explored the ocean floors which are teeming with life, some of which we have not explored and witnessed yet. God is also beyond our full knowledge and experience - so much more. I read an interesting comment to reflect on recently, that the God that athiests don't believe in, never existed anyway! We all have a limited view of God and we also likely have some wrong views of Him. Let us trust that, conversely, God knows us fully and we can be fully led by Him through the 'open doors' He provides for us. If some doors remain shut or suddenly shut on us, trust in God's leading