Reflections on LifeSample

Some years ago, I was living and working in a city in Asia. We had been approached by a Buddhist woman who requested that she practice her English with us. Teaching English was not really my thing, but I asked if she would consider finding a few friends and we could do an Alpha course – in English, and this might help her improve her English and also introduce her to part of my life. She readily agreed. The first evening came and to break the ice I invited each person to share a book that had had an impact on their lives. My new friend was the first to speak up and her reply was, “I have just started reading the Bible and it is the most amazing book I have ever read.”

Fast forward to this morning – 10 or 15 years later. Sitting in my office with me were two beautiful, fierce, loving and God-fearing wahine. They have endured some incredible challenges in their lives, but they have found a firm foundation to build their lives on – the Bible. They shared how the Bible has sustained them, convicted them, challenged them and helped them overcome. Their faces shine when they talk about how God is growing them, how he is speaking to them, how much he loves them. Some time ago they began reading the Bible together each morning – today they tell me that there are seven more wahine joining them.

When I see these two amazing women, I am humbled as I have seen this verse come to life before my eyes. They indeed will be called ‘oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour.’ They have not just read the ‘amazing book’, but it has taken hold of them, it has taken root and they have been and are in the process of being, transformed by it. What a challenge that is to me! May I too continue to display His splendour as I humble myself and let my life be transformed by the power of His Word.

Prayer:

God of creation, you are so holy and yet you come to us in all walks of life, from all races and nations, ages and places and you work your transforming power. Help us never to take your Word for granted but to treasure it and allow it to give us the life you intended. Amen.