In the last week, I think we have all found ourselves feeling an increase in concern, as more and more stories of the conflict in the Ukraine emerge. This is yet another pressure added, to a world that is already shaking.

As I sat with my colleagues in work, and listened to the different stories being shared; the following occured to me:

First, at times of great fear and uncertainty, there is an increased opportunity to share stories.

Secondly, the stories we share and the stories that we tell ourselves, can have great power; either to bring courage and build up, or promote fear, and pull down.

While thinking on this, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me quietly; "and what kind of story teller are you going to be?"

In pondering my answer, this scripture in 1John 4:17 came to mind; "so we are as Jesus is, in this world." In effect, His story has become our story, we are His hands and feet, and we are granted the privelege of being His chief story tellers!

So, as we share with those around us this week, we have a choice to make. Are we going to add to the stories of pain and suffering, and evil taking place? Or are we going to be the story tellers we were truly assigned to be; the peacemakers and the life bringers, standing for the hope that is eternal, and displaying a Kingdom that can NEVER be shaken?

John 3:16-17 (ESV) says;

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Now, this is THE ULTIMATE story - that is truly worth telling!

While meditating on the Word of God I was struck by the sharp contrast of two different Peters:

1. Peter at the garden of Gethsemane, cutting off the ear of a priest involved in Jesus' arrest - Mark 14 v 47.

2. Peter asleep in prison; awaiting a trial that would likely lead to his execution - Acts 12 v 6.

Peter was initially a man of ‘act first, ask questions later'. I can only imagine that when faced with the execution in Acts 12, the 'old' Peter would have been trying to figure a way to break out of prison but, like Jesus in the storm, he was asleep. Not only was he asleep but so deep in sleep that he had to be struck by the angel of God to wake him!

I'm encouraged by the growth of Peter and that the same Spirit in him also dwells in us.

As we walk more with God and enquire of the Holy Spirit, we begin to react less from instinct but more so operate from a place of peace. How wonderful it is to be at peace through the everyday situations/storms that surround us and sleep soundly against it all. This has been an encouragement and a challenge to me to continue to seek the Lord and to follow Him. I hope it is to you as well.

Whenever Ann and me go out driving somewhere new, Ann will always say for us to put the details into the sat nav to give us the directions. When I am in the car by myself I won't bother with the sat nav and I try to figure out how to get to my intended destination. This doesn't always work out so well for me as I don't have the directions and so I can get lost! In the same way following Jesus is all about giving direction to our lives.

In John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me." When reading this verse recently two things jumped out at me; First Jesus says the way, the truth and the life, He doesn't say a way, a truth and a life. On the back of this the second thing that jumped out is that these three things Jesus describes Himself as, are all directions which Jesus calls us to follow.

The Way

In Exodus God provided a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire in the night to show the people of Israel the way to go. He was leading them out of a life of slavery and oppression in Egypt and into a life of freedom. Jesus is leading us into this as well. If you follow His way, we are lead out of a life of slavery to sin and into freedom.

The Truth

In the world today believing in one truth can be a controversial belief. The creator of the NHS Aneurin Bevan once said "This is my truth, tell me yours." In society today it is OK to believe in different truths, however, Jesus says He is the truth, and this truth is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8). The bible and the Holy Spirit direct us how to live our lives and sometimes this goes against "social norms" but we should always remember that His way is the one true way.

The Life

In Luke 15:11-32 we read the story of the prodigal son. A man decides to live his life his way. He parties, he drinks too much and blows all of his money. While sitting in a pig sty contemplating eating the pig scraps he comes to the conclusion that the life he had chosen was not the best for him. At this he returns home to his father, hoping that he will be able to be a servant in his father's house. His father sees him while he is still far off, runs to him and welcomes his son back home and back into the life he was supposed to live.

Jesus is the example for how we should live our lives. Read the gospels and see what He did while walking with His disciples. He showed compassion to people, He was generous, He healed people, He lead others to salvation. But I know in my heart He would have laughed and joked with His disciples who were His friends. This life we are called to, is far from boring.

We all from time to time get lost or take a wrong turn especially if we don't use our sat navs. When you find this has happened to you, stop and look at the sat nav. When you find in life this has happened to you, stop, look to Jesus and follow His way, His truth and His life.

There is no one quite like you!

God hasn't got a favourite, he loves all, you could say everyone is his favourite. He wants all saved. He loves you!

I was on a teaching course yesterday all about giving good feedback to students. The best way to inspire others is not to compare them with fellow colleagues by grading but help them to see the steps they need to progress in the task they have been given. The goal is to be a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday, more Christlike.

Comparison is the thief of joy. If you compare yourself with others it makes you either feel less or more important / useful / loved. Neither is great as you can feel puffed up with pride or can feel miserable and low about yourself. Keeping up with the latest trend, your neighbours or gifting can leave you striving for things and position rather than God's fellowship.

Do not think that any of you are better than anybody else. You received from God everything that you have. So, you have no reason to be proud of what you have. It is all a gift! 1 Corinthians 4:7

Here are three things I’ve found have helped me in this area and continue to ...

1. An antidote to comparison is to have a grateful heart. To be thankful for all we have in our lives. See what we have been blessed with and use it for God. All of us have different gifts and abilities. Don't be like the one that hid their talent but fan it into flame and let God use you to display his kindgom.

2. Celebrate others in their success or blessing. This sends the enemy fleeing. When filled with jealousy do the opposite of the feeling and the emotions will follow of love and gratitude.

3. Stick to the race your running. Do what God asks you to do. Keep focused on Jesus. You are unique and God has specific things for you to do. Enjoy the journey, sit down and relax along the way.

Lastly

YOU are amazing

YOU are special

YOU are loved