This morning in my devotions I was brought back to an old hymn I hadn’t seen in a while. It was written in the 19th century by a British clergyman, John E. Bode. The hymn “O Jesus, I Have Promised” is one that used to be sung a great deal in the Baptist churches of my youth. But I would venture to guess that many Christians today have never heard of it. And while I never really liked the traditional tune used with it because I found it slow and almost dirge-like, as I look beyond the music and the 19th century English, I find myself resonating with the images and prayer of this old hymn.
It is a hymn that takes the call to discipleship and the decision to follow Jesus seriously; and equally seriously it recognizes the struggles and temptations that beset the professed follower of Jesus. It recognizes that the decision to follow Jesus begins with a promise, an open-ended promise to “serve…to the end.” The discipleship journey can be a challenging and difficult one and there will always be a temptation to wander or shrink back from these challenges and the demands of following Christ. The hymn writer knows that following Jesus isn’t a cake walk, there are real enemies out there and inside us that contrive to subvert us and make us fail. It is especially those inner foes, the obsessions and infatuations and self-centered desires that can really sidetrack us and trip us up. When faced with these realities, we recognize that if our following Jesus is going to mean anything significant we need the nearness of Christ and to be attentive to his voice as he speaks above “the passion, the murmurs of self will.” We need grace to follow. We need God’s guidance, call, strength, and the awareness of his presence if we are going to stay focused on the goal of becoming like Christ. And while Jesus is described as Master, Guide, Guardian, Savior, it is the word “friend” that is used in this hymn more than any other description of who Jesus is and what he does. Maybe it is the realization that, like a good friend, Jesus is with us on the journey, he doesn’t desert us.
David Rensberger, a modern day follower of Jesus, writing in the journal Weavings (Volume XXV, Number 4, p. 46) on the topic of commitment, reminds us: “Make a commitment, Jesus says, and you will find that God is also committed to you and will not let you lack what you require to carry out your commitment. Step forward without knowing where the resources will come from, without having all your birds of the air in a row, and the resources will find you.”
Do we believe that? If we have heard the invitation of Jesus to “come and follow me” and have responded with a promise to follow, we are on a journey. We have been invited to make that journey in the company of Jesus who does indeed go before us, so that we can follow in his footsteps. The journey is not always easy and it isn’t always a straight one, but Jesus walks with us and gives us the resources we need to be faithful and complete the journey. His request? Stick close.
Some things to reflect on:
1. As you reflect on the hymn below, think about its imagery. What images speak to you? Why? To what do they correspond in your own life? Can you feel the hymn writer’s desire? Can you sense his longing?
2. Of the terms “Master,” “Guide,” “Guardian,” “Savior,” and “Friend”, which one speaks more to you and your situation at this moment? Why?
3. What foes, around and within you, tempt you and keep you from fulfilling your promise to follow Jesus? How can the friendship and companionship of Jesus as he journeys with you help you, reassure you?
“O Jesus, I Have Promised”
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Reflecting on the Day
Whenever I travel I check in with my wife. It is good to hear her voice or read her email. It keeps me connected to the one I love. I would also like to think that it contributes to the health and growth of our relationship.
In the same way we need to check in regularly, actually daily, with God if our relationship is going to grow and remain a healthy one. For many, this happens with their daily devotional time or other times of prayer or reflection. Over the years one of the most common disciplines has been the Examen or Examination of Consciousness. It is pausing at the end of the day to reflect on the events of the day in the presence of God.
One of the chief advocates of this spiritual health tool was Ignatius of Loyola. He encouraged all those who want to grow in their relationship with God and to strengthen their spiritual life to end the day with this awareness exercise. Basically, it means that at the end of the day, this exercise can provide an intentional time to reflect on the day, to give thanks for what may not have been noticed as gift, and to make amends for failures, and to rest, ready to resume the spiritual journey with the new day. It doesn’t have to be long, just intentional.
Marian Cowan, in her book Companions in Grace, suggests that there are five statements that can guide us as we reflect on our day. They are the same statements/questions often used in a good human relationship: “Thank you,” “Help me,””I love you,” “Forgive me,” and “Be with me.”
You can see how these five statements can help us as we exam our day. Thank you – As we look back on our day, we discover things that were sheer gift – an email or a letter from a close friend, health, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a warm or cool day, a relaxing meal with family or friends. It is not enough to say a general “Thank you, God”. It is a time to pause over the particular gifts of the day and offer a heartfelt “Thank You, God for this and that….” Help me – What are your needs? What is it that you desire and need to ask God for? Maybe it is for the certitude that you are loved and a child of God? Maybe it is for growth in your spiritual life? Maybe it is for the healing of memories or a relationship? We name our need as we are aware of it and bring it to God. I love you – How has God been trying to show his love to you throughout the day? If grace is true and God is love, God’s love is always moving out towards us although we don’t always get it. We are too busy, too worried, too preoccupied, too … to notice the evidences of God’s love which are lavished on us each and every day. This is often true in our human relationships as well. Because we are so self-focused, we fail to see the overtures of love and care that come to us from the people around us. But when we are aware of them our response to these offers and expressions of love is love in return. It is expressed in words and actions. Pausing at the end of the day to reflect on God’s love for us and our expression of love for God and also for those around us can bring peace and a deep sense of joy. It can not only help us to sleep but also prepare us to be more aware of the love we are receiving and should be giving as we await the gift of another day. Forgive me – If Jesus were to come to you as you are reflecting on your day and ask you: “For what do you want forgiveness and healing?” what would say? What words, events, actions, thoughts of the day would come to mind? Being impatient? A curt word with a family member or a work colleague? Not bothering to spend time with someone you know is hurting or in need? Wasting time? Spending too much? Eating or drinking too much? As we become aware, we ask for forgiveness and know that God, who loves us and “delights in showing mercy” (Micah 7:18), forgives. Knowing that we are forgiven can also lead us to reflect on ways of making amends for our actions and being more patient and loving with others. Be with me –As we end our time of reflection we ask for the gifts and grace needed in the hours and days to come. In our request for forgiveness, awareness of God’s love, and acknowledgment of our need for healing and wholeness we recognize that we also need God’s presence for the journey. The one who promised that he would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5) is faithful and we can rest in that faithfulness knowing that the challenges and adventures of the new day are not going to catch God unaware. And because God is with us, we can ask for the patience, the love, the awareness, the grace we need for the new day.
If you haven’t developed the discipline of ending your day with a period of reflection on your day’s journey, may God give you the grace and desire for such a time. It doesn’t have to be long, just intentional.
In the same way we need to check in regularly, actually daily, with God if our relationship is going to grow and remain a healthy one. For many, this happens with their daily devotional time or other times of prayer or reflection. Over the years one of the most common disciplines has been the Examen or Examination of Consciousness. It is pausing at the end of the day to reflect on the events of the day in the presence of God.
One of the chief advocates of this spiritual health tool was Ignatius of Loyola. He encouraged all those who want to grow in their relationship with God and to strengthen their spiritual life to end the day with this awareness exercise. Basically, it means that at the end of the day, this exercise can provide an intentional time to reflect on the day, to give thanks for what may not have been noticed as gift, and to make amends for failures, and to rest, ready to resume the spiritual journey with the new day. It doesn’t have to be long, just intentional.
Marian Cowan, in her book Companions in Grace, suggests that there are five statements that can guide us as we reflect on our day. They are the same statements/questions often used in a good human relationship: “Thank you,” “Help me,””I love you,” “Forgive me,” and “Be with me.”
You can see how these five statements can help us as we exam our day. Thank you – As we look back on our day, we discover things that were sheer gift – an email or a letter from a close friend, health, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a warm or cool day, a relaxing meal with family or friends. It is not enough to say a general “Thank you, God”. It is a time to pause over the particular gifts of the day and offer a heartfelt “Thank You, God for this and that….” Help me – What are your needs? What is it that you desire and need to ask God for? Maybe it is for the certitude that you are loved and a child of God? Maybe it is for growth in your spiritual life? Maybe it is for the healing of memories or a relationship? We name our need as we are aware of it and bring it to God. I love you – How has God been trying to show his love to you throughout the day? If grace is true and God is love, God’s love is always moving out towards us although we don’t always get it. We are too busy, too worried, too preoccupied, too … to notice the evidences of God’s love which are lavished on us each and every day. This is often true in our human relationships as well. Because we are so self-focused, we fail to see the overtures of love and care that come to us from the people around us. But when we are aware of them our response to these offers and expressions of love is love in return. It is expressed in words and actions. Pausing at the end of the day to reflect on God’s love for us and our expression of love for God and also for those around us can bring peace and a deep sense of joy. It can not only help us to sleep but also prepare us to be more aware of the love we are receiving and should be giving as we await the gift of another day. Forgive me – If Jesus were to come to you as you are reflecting on your day and ask you: “For what do you want forgiveness and healing?” what would say? What words, events, actions, thoughts of the day would come to mind? Being impatient? A curt word with a family member or a work colleague? Not bothering to spend time with someone you know is hurting or in need? Wasting time? Spending too much? Eating or drinking too much? As we become aware, we ask for forgiveness and know that God, who loves us and “delights in showing mercy” (Micah 7:18), forgives. Knowing that we are forgiven can also lead us to reflect on ways of making amends for our actions and being more patient and loving with others. Be with me –As we end our time of reflection we ask for the gifts and grace needed in the hours and days to come. In our request for forgiveness, awareness of God’s love, and acknowledgment of our need for healing and wholeness we recognize that we also need God’s presence for the journey. The one who promised that he would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5) is faithful and we can rest in that faithfulness knowing that the challenges and adventures of the new day are not going to catch God unaware. And because God is with us, we can ask for the patience, the love, the awareness, the grace we need for the new day.
If you haven’t developed the discipline of ending your day with a period of reflection on your day’s journey, may God give you the grace and desire for such a time. It doesn’t have to be long, just intentional.
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