Barry's Blog

In last week's blog, we considered five takeaways that writer Philip Yancey came up with during a personal retreat that he conducted a few years ago. In reflecting on his silent retreat, Yancey remarked,"In those days of silence and solitude, I paid attention to what might need to change in order to keep my soul in shape. The more I listened, the longer the list grew." Here are the remaining observations he made, something of a "spiritual action plan" for Yancey, and ourselves, to ponder.

Sixth, "Find what Eric Liddell found: something that allows you to feel God's pleasure." In the film, Chariots of Fire, when the sprinter's sister worried that his participation in the Olympics might sidetrack his missionary career, you'll remember Liddell responded: "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure." What makes me feel God's pleasure? What significant purpose was I made for? What do I truly have a passion for? I must identify it, and then run.

Seventh, "Always 'err,' as God does, on the side of freedom, mercy, and compassion." Yancey writes, "I continue to marvel at the humility of a sovereign God who descends to live inside us, His flawed creatures." Paul writes in the New Testament, "Quench not the Spirit," and in another place, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit." In so many words, the God of all power asks us not to hurt Him. Do I show that same humble, noncoercive attitude toward people of whom I disapprove? 

Eighth, "Don't be ashamed." Paul declared to the church in Rome, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1:16). More often than not, many of us tend to speak in generalities when the subject of our Christian faith comes up in casual conversation. Amidst a culture where the Christian faith is increasingly marginalized, what does it look like in your own world  to be bold in your faith? When and where am I most prone to "be ashamed"?

Ninth, "Remember, those Christians who peeve you so much - God chose them too." I don't know about you, but I find it much easier to show grace and acceptance toward  people who make no claim to be a Christian, than hypocritical, often uptight, judgmental Christians. Of course, this makes me into a different kind of uptight, judgmental Christian! 

Tenth, "Forgive, daily, those who caused the wounds that keep you from wholeness." Yancey writes, "I find that our wounds are the very things God uses in His service. By harboring blame for those who caused them, I slow the act of redemption that can give the wounds worth and value, and ultimately healing." 

So which of these do I need to turn my attention to today?

 For FinishingWell,

 Barry Morrow 

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