Feb: Thoughts from Huw

Dear Friends

Readings; Isaiah 6:1-8, I Cor 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11

The prophet Isaiah and the apostles Paul and Peter did great things for God. Yet each of them had an inferiority complex. They had a low opinion of themselves. They had low self esteem. They did not put themselves forward, but were still called by God. They accepted that call reluctantly, convinced that they were unworthy of it.

Isaiah said ‘I am a man of unclean lips.’ Paul said ‘Of all the apostles I am the least. I don’t deserve the name apostle.’ And Peter declared, ‘Leave me Lord; I am a sinful man.’ This was not false humility on their part; it was the plain truth.

When we acknowledge our weakness, God can strengthen us. When we acknowledge our emptiness, God can fill us. When we acknowledge our poverty, God can enrich us. Then we become available to do his work and he accomplishes in us the things we find impossible. Humility is the starting point. It’s not that we are rotten through and through. Far from it. It’s just that we are weak, selfish and cowardly. Without grace we are unable to save ourselves, much less save anyone else.

Isaiah, Paul and Peter eventually accept God’s invitation and all three  did a wonderful job. This is the paradox – strength arising out of weakness. When we answer God’s call, he empowers us so that we can do things we never thought possible.

We should ask the Lord to give us humility to acknowledge our weakness, and the strength to rise above them. Then we will have the joy of discovering that it is when we are weak that we are strong.

God gives us the strength to do his work.

Our Lent course will start on Tuesday 28 February at 2pm, Sheriff Hill Methodist Church and we will be looking at the book of Revelation. I look forward to seeing you.

With good wishes and prayer
Huw