A Framework for Faith/Spiritual Disciplines

Often the Lord sprinkles down the waters bound in the clouds/lest, the fastenings being broken, they all at once burst forth./Streams of this water always, never failing, flow/in more fruitful channels, as if from breatst,/slowly through the regions of the earth...

  - Columba, Altus Prosator (Irish, 6th century)

All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are weariness...

  - Ecclesiastes 1.7, 8

Solomon was musing on his season of drifting from the Lord, in which the interests of self replaced the interests of God as his chief concern (Eccl. 2). In that condition, everything that had meant so much to him before came to be meaningless, "vanity of vanities." Caught up in self-glory, Solomon could no longer see the wisdom and steadfast love of God in the patterns of creation around him. Winds and rain, streams and seas - all was weariness.

Columba, on the other hand, saw the patterns of God's faithfulness in the rains and streams around him. He understood that God graciously provided for His creatures by supplying all their needs in generous and timely ways, and he praised God for what he observed.

The recent spate of terrible weather must cause us to wonder what God is trying to tell us. I don't pretend to be able to interpret whatever may be the various messages of disaster, but I can ask at least this much: Is it right for us to look to the Lord with an angry query at times of great destruction and loss, when we look to Him so little, with hearts of wonder and gratitude, during the normal daily patterns of providential provision?

God spoke to Job out of the tornado, calling Him to be content with the evidence of God's goodness, love, and wisdom everywhere on display in the vast cosmos - even in times of great personal tragedy. We presume too much, when disaster strikes, by demanding that God explain Himself to us. We always deserve much worse from the Lord than what we will ever experience in this life.

Solomon observed the patterns of God's faithfulness throughout the creation, but they only made him tired. Columba observed them, and they filled him with peace and joy. When we observe such patterns, even when they are violent and difficult to understand, we must study to hear the voice of God in the midst. He rules all things. He does all things well. He works all things together for good to those who love Him. He will never fail us nor forsake us.

So let us not fail to thank and praise Him, whatever the pattern of His faithfulness we may experience or observe.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

ReVision - Could it be that secular thinkers are beginning to discover the wisdom of God?

Government of the Soul - The Law of God will be a source of blessing only to the extent that it governs our souls, as I'll be arguing all this week in In the Gates.

Opportunities for Mentoring - Pastor, let us help you improve your preaching, train your congregation for evangelism, grow in your experience of the Lord, or learn to shepherd your flock. Mentoring opportunities are available now. Write for more information or to chat.

Member Blogs - Check out Jess Slusher's newest poem, a meditation on the dying thief.

Creational Theology - Consider the Lilies can help you learn to hear the voice of God speaking in creation and culture. Order your copy today.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.