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The Other Half The Other Half
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I have just returned from Brighton where I attended the Celebrate Weekend. It was a wonderful, anointed time with excellent speakers, workshops and worship – and I came away challenged, yet again, in my relationship with God and my desire to get that right. Celebrate banners hung around the hall and the one at the centre of the stage was “The Spirit and the Word” (see above, printed in black and white so sadly, you will not be able to appreciate its full impact). The banner was hung much lower than it usually hangs at Celebrate (Ilfracombe) and so it was much closer, easier to see in detail, easier to think about! Over the two days I had a new insight into Yvonne Bell’s (the artist) depiction of God. The Trinity is united in a circle – an explosion of action surrounded by a rainbow, the sign of God’s covenant with us (Gen.9:12) but also representing His Glory (Ez 2:28 and Rev 4:3) The Spirit (the dove) hovers over all. He is part of the circle and yet very distinct. Jesus, The Word, is the book and between Him and the Spirit are the ‘words in action’ – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Him ….” .(John 1: 1,2) And at the bottom, not so clear but definitely there, is the hand of the Father. Everything rests on His hand and all that is depends on its position and strength. My eyes were drawn so easily towards the Word and the Spirit but as I spent time looking at the composition I found myself searching for more details about the Father’s Hand. I felt such love for Him who promised such security and peace. I realised that it is dangerously easy to concentrate on all that Jesus has done, all that the Spirit is doing and neglect My Father who actually under-girds all that is, and was, and is to come! And I remembered again that lovely illustration of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit being a spotlight which highlights the Way, Jesus, who leads us to the Father. The warning is not to look directly at the spotlight or we will be dazzled, but to set our feet on the way to walk with Jesus as His desire is to take us to our Father. And I felt the Father call “Come back”! Not that I had left His presence but I was running ahead – busy for Him but anticipating His moves instead of walking with Him and doing everything as and when He chose. That is so easy for us to do. We start with good intentions and are amazed as He takes our weaknesses and enables us to achieve His plan. But, speaking for myself, I become pretty confident that I can do it all, no need to ask Him what He wants, I’ll just change a few things to ‘improve the plan’, speed things up, sort out a few difficult people! God forgive me, PLEASE! I see now that nothing is secure without your presence and your support. May I try, again, to rely only on you and on your timing, that Your Will be done and so Your Kingdom come. Sue Whitehead
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