December/Vision

He was full of light. He was an ample fort for the stranger. He was obedient, he was noble, his death was dignified. He was pleasant, he was a physician in every sage's heart. Our hero used to speak with the apostle.

  - Dallan Forgaill, Amra Choluimb Chille  (Irish, 6th century)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

  - Acts 4.13

Dallan's celebration of Columba, the founder of the monastery on Iona, tells us a good deal about the saint. His great learning, gentle spirit, disciple-making skills, and deep piety are recalled throughout this poem. And the reason for the extraordinary character and accomplishments of his "hero" of the faith is glimpsed here and in two other places.

Columba "spoke with the apostle." He also "spoke with an angel" and "sat down with God." This is Dallan's way of saying that Columba kept close counsel and intimate communion with the unseen realm and the King Who ruled at the right hand of God. Columba was, like Abraham, a true friend of God.

Nothing that we aspire to in the life of faith will be possible apart from this. The joy and peace we long for will elude us. The bold and effective witness we should like to have will never materialize. We will not increase in holiness, nor will we know the power of Christ to serve others consistently until intimacy with unseen things, and especially the King Who rules from the unseen throne, becomes our daily experience.

For when we sit down with God, and when His Word pervades our souls, we will actually begin to be someone different, someone more like King Jesus and less like our old selves. When friendship with God is the defining feature of our experience, life in the footsteps of Jesus will be, increasingly, the life we actually know.

So here is a call to follow Columba into the silent chambers of waiting, meditating, praying, reading, and listening, listening, listening for the presence of our unseen Friend and King. For when we know Him there - when we sit down and speak with Him as friend to Friend - then we will be changed.

And then those around us will begin to ask a reason for the hope that is within us.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

Does this ministry serve a niche in your walk with the Lord? If so, we ask you to consider helping us at this end of the year by a gift to keep our work going forward. Use the donate button or send your contribution to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 100 Lamplighter Ct., Hamilton, VA 20158. Thanks so much for thinking of us.

Creation longs to praise the Lord, too, and it is part of our calling to see to it that the redeeming work of Christ reaches to all His creation. Check out today's ReVision.

Why not start your new year with a fresh look at the life of faith? What does it mean to practice the Kingship of Jesus, and how can you begin to have more of that perspective on your own walk with the Lord? A Fellowship of Ailbe mentoring relationship could help you discover a fuller experience of knowing and serving the Lord.