Lost in Grace

By Jim Fielder

A series of 100 Bible-based articles on the subject of LOSTNESS. They provide devotional mini-Bible studies for those feeling lost in life or in a religious space to the discovery of being lost in wonder at amazing grace. Suitable for individual meditation or group discussion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim Fielder
• Release date: Aug 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386451822

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

This collection of articles is about LOSTNESS. A common experience.

The title may well bring to your mind the original 1960’s series of American sci-fi adventures of the Robinson family, LOST IN SPACE. This has been updated in 2018 to a new series of the same name. Set 30 years into the future it relates the exploits of a family chosen to start a new life in a space colony. They find themselves lost in space, fighting for survival in a dangerous alien environment on a habitable planet. We could easily draw lessons from the stories – a family pulling together to overcome the unexpected, a willingness to help each other even at the expense of their own lives and not losing hope in the face of adversity.

Do you know anyone whose life appears to be spinning out of control? Perhaps that describes your own situation presently. You are in free fall, hurtling through your own dark space, encountering unexpected and even dangerous situations. Feeling vulnerable, like a spacecraft drained of fuel being pulled inexorably into a vortex of swirling troubles, attacked on all sides by meteoric problems and unseen forces. You are being drawn into a black hole of helplessness and hopelessness. To make matters worse all communication has broken down. You feel totally alone, abandoned in a dark alien environment. 

What can bring a person to this state of distress, depression, even despair? Can you relate to any of the following factors or a combination of them? Chronic illness, unemployment, divorce, death of someone close to you, loneliness, ostracization, past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, being controlled by one’s genetic predispositions or sinful habits, ... and the list could very easily be extended.

The greater reality, according to the Bible, is that every single last one of us has been lost, born in Adam. No man, however saintly, could jump the Grand Canyon sin chasm to reach God’s perfection. (See first footnote[1]) The scriptures reveal this sad condition many times. Here are five examples, but please notice that the bad news of lostness is immediately followed by the good news of salvation in succeeding verses.

Isaiah 53:6

LOST: All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way ... 

FOUND: But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved.

Luke 15:13

LOST: The younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living ... 

FOUND: So he got up and started back to his father. "He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity, and he ran, threw his arms around his son, and kissed him. (vs 20)

Luke 19:2

LOST: There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich ...

FOUND: The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (vs 10)

Romans 3:12

LOST: All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, not even one ...

FOUND: But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. (vs 24)

Ephesians 2:1

LOST: In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins ...

FOUND: For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift ... (vs 8-9)

It is also a reality that after having been saved as a Christian we can experience periods of feeling lost in uncertainty, black dog days of gloom and depression. Feeling depressed not only in the bad times but in the relatively good times. The scriptures provide inspired words of reassurance in these situations too. This series of articles have been written to encourage you, dear reader, to never give up because He never has and never will give up on you. (Deut 31:8; Heb 13:5[²])

I, like many others, have encountered several difficult or even critical periods in my own life. Five particular nightmare black hole experiences jump only too readily to mind. However, on each of these bleak occasions I turned to the Psalms and found reassurance, comfort and hope. The practise developed of reading one of these inspired Psalms every morning, that is, reading and thoughtfully meditating on key phrases aloud in prayer to our heavenly Father. In this way every day came to focus on praising God - knowing that He knows us intimately – and seeing Christ underlying all scripture. Why not try this exercise today? It combines within a prayer, a short reading, selecting a key phrase, understanding its context, meditating on its personal application. We will discuss this more in questions 28 to 30. In the meantime, let me provide you a few examples from the reading of Psalm 139 to 143 inclusive from the Message Bible. I have highlighted a phrase from each successive Psalm that jumped from the page to prompt me to deeper thought and prayer. 

Psalm 139:11-12 Then I said to myself, Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I’m immersed in the light! It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

Psalm 140:12-13 "I know that you, God, are on the side of victims, that you care for the rights of the poor. And I know that the righteous personally thank you, that good people are secure in your presence."

Psalm 141:1-2 "God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it’s my voice you’re hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers."

Psalm 142:4-6 "Look right, look left - there’s not a soul who cares what happens! I’m up against it, with no exit - bereft, left alone. I cry out, God, call out: ‘You’re my last chance, my only hope for life!’ Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low."

Psalm 143: 10-11 "Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. Keep up your reputation, God—give me life!"

Can you identify with those phrases? According to their context what did these expressions likely mean to the writer?[3] How could they apply in your life? 

Your life may have been going in the wrong direction and right now be grinding to a standstill as you read this. There is hope. Don’t give up on yourself or the God who knows you. He knows your situation in full detail. He cares so much. He desires to give you a new trajectory. You feel pushed down or set back? May these short observations begin to lift you up and propel you forward – in the grace-direction. It seems appropriate therefore that these articles following the acronym L.O.S.T

These 100 concise 5-minute devotionals were written for personal or group use. They form a quick reference question-and-answer mini Bible studies series for those with limited time. However, more detailed information can be consulted in the over 450 footnotes.  

There is the story of a man who over 60 years was convinced that he was on the correct course for God’s approval and eternal life. In fact, he was instrumental in helping his family and dozens of others into a denominational mother ship to speed along a predetermined trajectory along a programmed orbit of religious routine. He was captive to a particular religion with its controlling thinking and regulations. Such was the suppression of his critical thinking for decades that any consideration and mention of outside information, though accurate and factual, was immediately frowned upon and judged to be a deviation from the true faith. Imagine a Law Court where the jury are expected to make a life-changing judgment based solely on the arguments of the defence attorney but are totally prohibited from considering any alternative information, other witness testimony or even DNA evidence, from the prosecution! Likewise, how is it possible for a person to arrive at a balanced judgment about their denomination and indeed their whole life when based solely on one permitted exclusive source while repudiating all other sources of information as distorted, dangerous and even demonic?

What happened to this man? I can tell you because I was that man! I compiled these Lost in Grace articles during a period of personal religious awakening from the cold, dark space of religion to the freedom of grace. You could say that I too was lost – for 60 years! Of course, people are free to choose membership in any legal organisation and loyally comply with its requirements. Freedom of thought, conscience, speech and worship are claimed and respected in most parts of western society. Sadly however, there exist a number of world religions including professed Christian groups who shun – treat as dead - those wishing to leave their exclusive church. The footnote here[4] provides a partial list of some religions claiming such exclusivity. This death sentence is regrettably based on a plain misinterpretation of three specific verses in the Bible – ignoring customs of that time, scriptural context, cross-references and the original Greek word meanings.[5] This draconian measure is strictly enforced in order to protect the purity and unity (here, read ‘conformity’) within such exclusive denominations. In this way a person can be locked into a religiously isolating orbit of repressed fear that demands absolute loyalty for many years, while being told that their members are indeed privileged to be so happy that they have found the only way, the narrow road. Could this be a control of their Behaviour, Information, Thinking and Emotions?[6] For example, how can a member’s thinking be so regulated that if asked to name just one incorrect or bad thing about his group he cannot do so – at least not in the hearing of others? More about these issues later during our ‘100 questions’ journey together which may well move some to consider a few ‘mid-course corrections’ to get back on the Grace trajectory from the black hole of religion.

I would like to state a few points clearly from the start.

1) Professional Referral. Although I have served as a pastor providing spiritual assistance to many over the years, I have not been trained in the mental health field. Ones undergoing persistent deep feelings of lostness for whatever reasons – bereavement, loneliness, disillusionment – may well need encouragement to seek such professional help. Your doctor may be the first reference point or a phone call to the Samaritans. They will certainly provide links to an appropriate counsellor. Be patient, many have found a long time is needed for feelings of loss, bitterness, anger and betrayal to recede. Take it steady, expect setbacks.

2) Positive Reflections. These short meditations are not written from any negativity. This collection does not have its root in any bitterness, retaliation or pride but derives from a deep feeling of personal joy alongside a profound awareness of my own limitations. Underlying every comment is the humble desire to point away from myself, and certainly away from men’s works-based religious systems, to direct positive attention to the never changing source of all grace, love, joy and peace – our Lord Jesus Christ. To whom shall you go? To Christ! (John 6:68)

3) Probing Revelation. Thirdly, these short observations along with their footnotes and references, are not intended to be a series of incontestable dogmatic assertions; you must believe these stated views, especially Jim’s opinions! That would be a mere replacing of one set of religious and moral ossification with another brand. Rather, there is a desire that many more individuals will consider the contextual meaning of inspired Scripture while praying that the Holy Spirit may open their hearts to the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Cor 11:3 KJV) Yes, be encouraged to prayerfully dig deeper into the real meaning of Bible verses. What was the writer’s perspective? What did these words mean at that time to the writer and the recipients? This is far more important than asking ‘what does this scripture mean to me?’ or ‘how do these words make me feel?’ It is only by revelation from the Spirit that someone can be roused and released from the dark dungeon of conformity to sectarian dogma of works-based religions to the new spacious place of Grace.

4) Personal Relationship. Finally, from point 3 it may appear that I am simply saying read your Bible more thoroughly and pray more devotedly for the Holy Spirit. These should certainly be a saved Christian’s daily desires. However, many of our humble unschooled brothers and sisters of the first century had no opportunity to own a precious copy of God’s Word. They would hear and believe the basic message of salvation in Christ alone and be saved. As scripture reminds us, our salvation does not depend on mere knowledge or a good memory of scripture references but solely on God-given faith in Christ. (John 5:39-40; 17:3; 1 Tim 2:3-4; 1 Cor 8:1-3; see question 29 for more information.) Hence, it is not a matter of accruing information but receiving transformation; not figuring out a book but being transfigured within by a person; not applying Christian principles to perform better but been in love with the person of Christ! My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. (NASB; question 75)

It is not my intention at this point to relate my life story in any detail but to point only to Christ. I am though, so happy to report that I found true freedom - not in a religion but in Christ alone! Our Father through his Spirit not only progressively revealed a new direction – His grace direction - but gifted to me a new life in His Son. His grace ignited my spirit into a saved secure relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:20-21) I didn’t find him, he had found me! I had been lost, adrift in religious space. In contrast, here was grace space. I knew that He had saved me to praise and glorify Him eternally.

The words of 1 Peter 1:8 spoke to the depths of my being, You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. (Passion Translation) Oh the joy! I was finally freed from religiously controlled external conformity to enjoy true internal freedom of sonship with God through Christ! It was no longer a matter of having to loyally obey to become approved but rather a simple believing and receiving of our Father’s complete approval along with a new heart which incorporated the desire to obey Him. From wandering in empty space, He readjusted my trajectory into the grace orbit - who is Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 3:5; Eph 6:23-24)

It is my earnest hope that many more lost souls may be drawn by our Father’s Spirit to Christ, our seeking Shepherd, to find the only place of true rest and joy in Him. May these modest meditations arouse just one person to become profoundly lost in the wonder of his spacious grace. When the Holy Spirit awakens our spirit to the authentic good news about the glorious Christ and we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – we will be overcome by our Father’s unconditional love. (Eph 2:8-10) We will be lost in Grace eternally! 

As Ephesians 1:6 says, Ultimately God is the one worthy of praise for showing us His grace; He is merciful and marvellous, freely giving us these gifts in His Beloved.

"I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,

the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.

I remember it all - oh, how well I remember –

the feeling of hitting the bottom.

But there's one other thing I remember,

and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

God's loyal love couldn't have run out,

his merciful love couldn't have dried up.

They're created new every morning.

How great your faithfulness!

I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).

He's all I've got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,

to the woman who diligently seeks.

It's a good thing to quietly hope,

quietly hope for help from God."

Lamentation3:19-26, The Message Bible

Section A

Have you felt like giving up lately? A feeling of lostness sweeps over you. You have genuinely tried hard to knuckle under to your all your commitments, including your religion’s requirements and routines. You feel pressurised - exhausted mentally, emotionally and physically. To put it more succinctly, you feel like a real LOSER!

So far you have managed to stoically hide your grievances from others, masking your frustrations and emotional pain with the usual I’m fine, thanks accompanied with an expected smile and hollow laugh. In truth, you really want to run away and hide from everyone. Understandably, you need time alone to lick your wounds. You are not eating or sleeping well – is that indigestion or perhaps a developing heart problem? Anyway, even if I opened up, you reason, I wouldn’t know where to start, what to say. It would be too much to handle, like an ice-cream hitting an exposed nerve in a tooth. Who could possibly fully understand?

Of course, we know that we should pray and then trust the Lord, wait patiently on Him. However, at such times prayer can feel broken, empty, like your mobile phone losing its signal. Have you thought that the Lord could be trying to reach out to you through that one friend who would listen compassionately, without judgment and in confidence? Courageously take this step today. If your friend realises the depth and ongoing nature of your condition he or she may well go with you to visit a doctor or a professional counsellor. This move is to be recommended in many cases.

Don’t worry that some ‘mature Christians’ may view the turning to a non-believing professional for help as some sort of spiritual weakness. You are not answerable to men. Their stock solution is just pray, confess sins and come to the Bible classes. This may sound like good spiritual advice.[7] But often a sense of lostness can be rooted in trying to live religiously - without living in Christ. Only in the person of Christ can indescribable joy replace unrelenting gloominess.

___________________________

You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words

that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit.

Your words have put stumbling people on their feet,

put fresh hope in people about to collapse.

But now you’re the one in trouble—you’re hurting!

You’ve been hit hard and you’re reeling from the blow.

But shouldn’t your devout life give you confidence now?

Shouldn’t your exemplary life give you hope?

Job 4:3-6 (Message Bible)

__________________________

Feeling like a Loser   1-4

Finding Rest    5-9

Grace Direction   10-15

1. CAN YOU HELP ME? – I’M LOST

We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way.

Isaiah 53:6 (Message Bible)

A wedding dress, a set of false teeth, a school crossing lollipop, a few prosthetic limbs, a gas mask, a stuffed puffer fish, a judge’s wig and hundreds of teddy bears. What does this odd assortment of items have in common? They were lost items found on London transport in one recent year.

Have you been lost? It is one thing to frustratingly lose keys, an umbrella or a cell phone, but even more distressing is when we personally get lost. I am renown for getting lost when driving. I remember when my wife and I, along with a couple of Chinese passengers, set off on a 3-hour drive to attend a Christian conference. I had borrowed a GPS which unfortunately had not been updated. Not only did we find ourselves on many interminable minor roads but the gadget refused to recharge. Our Chinese friends produced a cell phone which promptly delivered confusing directions in an incomprehensible Chinese dialect. By the time these were translated, we had passed the correct turnings and soon found ourselves lost in a labyrinth of streets on a large housing estate. We stopped a passing late-night dog walker but he had never even heard of our destination. We did finally arrive at our hotel after 8 hours - more by chance than good management.

All are Lost. Much more disturbing is emotional and spiritual lostness. Have you ever felt lost, like a rocket many degrees off course from its intended trajectory, locked in a wrong orbit?[8] Perhaps it was an oppressive religion, a broken relationship, crashed finances, debilitating illnesses or suicidal thoughts? If so, you are not alone. Remember Hagar’s eviction, the Israelites wanderings, David’s guilt, Elijah’s suicidal despair, John Mark’s rejection and Peter’s denials. From these we learn that failure and lostness are not final or fatal. In a deeper sense, all mankind – every individual – is lost in sin. (Isa 53:6) Romans 3:12 asserts All have turned aside; together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one! (Amplified)[9]Many years ago The Times asked the question What is wrong with the world today? One reply read - Dear Sir, I am. Yours faithfully, G. K. Chesterton. That response showed a profound insight into man’s universal condition: not just that we commit sins, but that we are enslaved to sin. Paul in Romans 3 describes the hold that sin has on every unbeliever. First, our character (10-12) then conversation (13-14) conduct (15-17) and finally connection with God (18). This does not mean that every person is as bad as he or she could be - we may know individuals who live rather exemplary lives apart from Christ - but that sin has affected every part of our being and there is nothing anyone can do to commend himself to a holy God.

The lost are found. Simply put, no sinner is able to seek after God - we needed a saviour to come down to find us. (Rom 3:11) Jesus came from heaven to earth and entered the wilderness condition of humanity on the greatest search-and-rescue mission in history. As a shepherd he expertly tracks our individual footprints as his lost sheep; finds us in a neglected, infested state; lovingly raises us up into his arms; whispers to us reassuring sheep-nothings and carries us to his Father. (1 Pet 3:18)[10]

Key Point

From: Lost in the wilderness. To: Lost in wonder - because Christ found me

2. FEELING ‘LOST IN SPACE’?

We have become his poetry, are-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!

Ephesians 2:10 (The Passion Translation)

You pluck up the courage to admit your inner feelings to a close Christian friend: My life seems pointless! I seem to be going in circles - lost, alone in darkness in a maze, wandering with no sense of direction. I feel like a missing particle lost in space![11]

You are God’s Masterpiece, our friend kindly reminds you. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10 ESV) We are God’s workmanship[12]or handiwork which is the word poiema[13]from which we see the word poem. It meant any work of art – a poem, a song, a painting, a statue or a piece of architecture - something artfully created. When born again we became a unique divine work of art created by our Father to express the works He has prepared for us. There’s no one else he made quite like you.[14]

Often, we take a negative view of ourselves, but we are his unique spectacular masterpiece crafted in the image of His Son![15]Michelangelo was once asked what he was doing as he chipped away at a shapeless rock. He replied, I’m liberating an angel from this stone. That’s what God is doing with us. True, we are a work in progress but God has fallen in love with you even as you develop more into the image of His Son. (Eph 4:13; 2 Cor 3:18) Father and Son delight in your uniqueness and in you becoming more and more yourself.

You are created for Good Works, our friend continues. First, understand the wonderful truth found in the previous verses (Eph 2:8-9) that God saved us by grace through faith alone and not by any works or merit on our part. We were not saved by faith plus good works, but by a faith that works. (Rom 11:5-6) We have been given a new identity. Our role is simply to be our authentic selves, knowing that good works aren’t our gift to God but are His gift to us. "Before the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:4; ) God planned ways for us to honour Him through our actions. We should go through this day with our spiritual eyes open, and God will show us the opportunities to glorify Him through the works He has waiting for us to do. We are our Fathers art work and he will show His love to those we encounter - through us.

An example of God’s prearranged work is found in Acts 13:2 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. We see that the Spirit of Christ already knew the work to which He had called them." What an exciting way to live.

Our life is a quest to discover, and more and more to live into, the person God originally made you to be; for the image of God to be restored in you; for Christ to take form in the contours of your life. That is your horizon. (R Wilbourne)[16]This is the course God sets for each one of us - to more and more discover who you truly are and daily walk[17] with a sense of adventure in the path that he has set before you. (Ps 85:13) Until one day, you will see him face to face. (1 John 3:2) This glorious destiny is where you are headed. What God has begun in you, he will complete. (Phil 1:6)

Key Point

Our Grace-direction is not only to see Him but also to be like Him

3. WHAT IS YOUR WORST FEAR?

You, beloved, are worth so much more than a whole flock of sparrows. God knows everything about you, even the number of hairs on your head. So do not fear.

Matthew 10:31 (The Voice)

What presently causes you to feel a sense of foreboding, of ongoing worry? Fear of people’s judgments? Fear of living an insignificant life? The overriding fear of death? Research into how people’s lives can be controlled by fear and anxiety is well documented.[18]

The expressions Fear not or Do not be afraid are reiterated over and over again in the Bible. It is said by many to be the command that is used most often in Scripture.[19]

Jesus used the expression, Do not fear three times in Matthew 10:24-33.

i) Fear of men: Verses 26-27 "Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known."

God is a God of JUSTICE. God will vindicate His servants who have stood up for Christ’s name and suffered persecution like his Son. The previous verses, 24-25, It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household! Jesus encouragingly says, do not fear such men because God will reveal the truth in the day of judgment, if not before. All the abuse, wrong accusations, lies, and mistreatments will be handled by Christ. God will restore our reputation and character and see to it that we ‘have the praise of God’ (1 Cor 4:5).[20]

ii) Fear of death: Verse 28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

God is a God of POWER. Men can only separate us from this world, not from eternal life. We have already passed from death to life and are in the process of living forever. (John 5:24) Men may be able to kill a Christian bodily, but the power to destroy the soul is God’s. God can destroy all aspects of the persecutor’s soul – his life (physically, emotionally, mentally) - forever. The disciples need not fear men because they have a greater awesome respect for God who has the power both to resurrect those persecuted and to destroy their Pharisee-like persecutors forever.

iii) Fear of insignificance: Verses 29-31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows"

God is a God of LOVE. We may feel that no one cares about me and my trivial existence. Jesus uses the picture of insignificant birds hopping, hurt, and falling to the ground. Sparrows were mostly bought and eaten by poor people. God sees all our activity and knows every painful injury, even the most minute detail. Jesus says, ‘Take heart, because my Father loves you. He knows every hair of your head, not just the sum total but even the number of each hair!’ (Ps 139)[21]

Conclusion? Confess Jesus (verses 32-33) by publicly declaring our allegiance to him and acknowledging our total dependence on him for salvation. What Jesus thinks of us, that is all that counts, not people’s opinion. When we stand for Jesus in tough situations, Jesus glows with pride and promises that he will stand up for us before the Father now and at the final judgment. Faith looks into the future - at eternal realities. Faith is absolute confidence in God’s justice, power and love for us.

Key Point

Fear and faith are mutually exclusive – 1 John 4:18

4. ARE YOU IN THE DOLDRUMS?

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.

Psalm 42:5 (Message Bible)

When you are in the doldrums[22] life just stagnates – you are going nowhere fast! In fact, we often travel faster and further in the unwanted, unexpected storms of life. Turbulent times tend to strip us of fleshly self-reliance. Patience and compassion are developed and deepened under duress. In such schools of affliction trials become good teachers as demonstrated in Joseph’s case. (Rom 5:3-5)[23]

On the other hand, we may enter a becalmed period, the doldrums, when there is no wind in our sails, trapping us in despondency. A sudden turn of circumstances or listlessness can put us on hold for week after week. We can feel disconnected from logical reasoning, from any in-depth conversations and even from God.[24]We may be unwilling to admit our sense of emptiness to anyone - after all I am a man of God. Then while in this languishing state we decide to get a grip by setting new goals – only to fall at the very first hurdle, setting us even further back into deeper dejection.

So what do we do in our doldrums? Yes, we ought to stir ourselves to read certain Bible accounts about those who experienced temporary doldrum phases in their life, like Job, Moses, Elijah and David. Of course, we should also pour our hearts out to God, even in short telegram expressions. How about confiding in a friend or counsellor, taking more physical exercise and observing first-hand the amazing creation around us? All these activities are practical steps and are strongly recommended. But above all we need the assurance that God knows and cares, that Jesus will enter our boat and the Holy Spirit will blow life into us again.

The Boat: Our boat could be called UNION (Christ in us). Focus, not on our feelings, but upon the reassuring restful presence of Jesus in our heart. Don’t look at the sea and what we must do, look at the Son and see what He has done. Didn’t Jesus say Come to ME and find rest? He didn’t superficially say Come to MEetings and be stressed – although meeting together with genuine brothers in Christ, even with just one or two others, will undoubtedly prove beneficial. (Matt 18:20; Heb 10:23-25) 

The Wind: When becalmed, wait for the Holy Spirit to blow into our sails. What a waste of time and energy for a sailor