Famous quotes intrigue me! If they’ve survived the test of time it’s likely because, in just a few words, they are able to convey a whole essay of meaning. For example, just the other day I saw this: ‘Jealousy is counting someone else’s blessings.’ They’re like that. They’re pithy. They make you pause for a second or two to take in the fuller meaning. Or how about this line we’ve used often: ‘You must give up all hope of ever having a better past.’ It’s clever. But it says a lot, well beyond its thirteen words. It makes you stop and think. There’s so much more meaning behind just the few words.

Poetry, of course, is another example of constructing big ideas within tight constraints. Music, too. And plays on the stage. And how many movies contain quote-worthy dialogue or one-liners? Humor is often better conveyed with less rather than more.

Not necessarily famous in the world’s eye, but Scripture, God’s love letter to us, is still and forever the Living Word, still conveying a depth of meaning, a punch, a shot in the arm, a beam of hope in times of despair, far beyond just the actual words used. For the writers of the 66 books we call the Bible, it must be truly a thing of wonder for them, if they’re aware, to see lives transformed these centuries later through what they wrote in obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit (were they even aware of his interventions at the time of their writing?) Or to see their contribution translated into languages that didn’t even exist in their day! For the first apostles, including Paul, to see how far the message has gone out into the world, and to see the church still thriving amid the same humanness they had to deal with in those first heady, halcyon days.

Something that remains a mystery to us is the place and importance and impact, of prayer. We are invited, indeed exhorted, to pray. We have the promise that God answers our prayers. We’re encouraged to intercede for situations that are beyond our scope, trusting God to redeem and rescue and restore. Jesus’ example of prayer gave his disciples the ABC’s, a kind of structure, for prayer. Jesus, himself, regularly prayed to retain close contact with his Father. Through the centuries the saints have recorded their prayers to the edification of succeeding generations. Many of those prayers were, and are still today, sung as the hymnody of the Church. As we journey to the Father’s heart, we learn more and more about prayer, its struggles and its glories.

Can’t wait to see you struggling, glory-soaked saints tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM FR.  PD

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