2003 Reflections |
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Bits and PiecesThe following conversation took place over tea at Grantchester. Althea is a gifted songwriter and we were discussing venues for her ministry. 'It must be really fulfilling to feel involved in the Lord's service with a particular calling', I remarked. 'But you are always doing things,' she replied. 'I mean something significant. Everything I do seems to be just bits and pieces.' Althea smiled. 'A mosaic is made of bits and pieces'. What an inspirational thought! When one considers how a mosaic begins with a pile of random tesserae, and how beautiful is the completed design, there is great comfort in Althea's observation.. Many of us whose lives are devoted to a constant round of small, oft-repeated gestures of support and loving care towards others, may feel that life indeed consists of little bits and pieces, easily forgotten and taken for granted. Yet the small broken pieces that appear to lack value in themselves, come together to form a picture or design so exquisite that one can only gaze in wonder and admiration. Mosaics were originally the product of the Greek artists who used black and white pebbles to make intricate and durable patterns on pavements and floors. Then, throughout the Byzantine period, the use of coloured glass took mosaic work to new heights of beauty, creating wall decorations shimmering in jewel shades and gold, and catching an intensity of light that is truly dazzling. They were intended as a reminder of the glory of God. The Romans would record for posterity, the image of an emperor, perfectly shaded and outlined, to give a remarkable likeness. So it is with our service to God. The tesserae, or small daily pieces added over a lifetime, come in the end to form a very special picture, unique to each individual, and reflecting the beauty of Jesus Christ. The finished mosaic is our offering of worship and service. In another aspect of mosaic crafting, a team effort may represent the multi-coloured pieces that add together to form a complete project. This summer, members of different Christian denominations joined forces once again under the unity of one theme, for the Summer Club. So many talents were in evidence, from drama to sports, dance, story-telling, crafts, puppetry, music, and all the practical aspects of smooth organisation. The enthusiasm and happiness reflected in the faces of the children, gave adequate reward for diligent preparation. The Scriptures turn the spotlight briefly on many servants of God whose names appear fleetingly on its pages. So we find Lydia, Joseph of Arimathia, Nicodemus, Dorcas, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Aquila and many more. Each brings a small but honoured contribution to the history of the church. They were ordinary people whose final mosaic delights the eye of God. We need not despair if life seems to be a stage on which other players have bolder parts to play. Our little contributions, sincerely and lovingly given are precious to God, the Master Craftsman and without our piece, the mosaic picture would be incomplete. 'For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.' - 2 Corinthians 8v12 Iris Niven (October 2003) Whistler's MotherSome are born to greatness, others have it thrust upon them. The same may be true of fame. Anna Whistler could never have predicted that her portrait would become one of the most familiar and reproduced pictures in art history. Known as 'An Arrangement in Grey and Black', it has become an iconic image, a celebration of the devotion of motherhood, and an enigmatic glimpse into the relationship between the devout widow and her adored but wayward son, the artist 'Jemie' Whistler. J. Whistler liked to place his subjects in an atmosphere rather than a defined setting because he believed that a portrait should reveal the inner person as much as depict the external appearance. Anna's portrait in profile is reminiscent of the lines, 'Like a white candle Whistler himself said, 'It was Mother's unceasing prayer that made the attractive charm of the study'. In the pale illumination of her gentle face, he has captured something of the light of faith that glowed within her. Anna had married a railroad engineer, a widower with a ready-made family of three, to which Anna added five babies, although only two survived infancy. She braved hazardous sea and land journeys to set up home in Canada, Russia and England and managed to cope efficiently even with early widowhood and modest means. Her Christian faith was her inspiration and she believed that motherhood was a privileged role in which she, like all mothers, could be a provider of emotional, intellectual and physical support to her family. She read Scripture for daily guidance, reflecting these words from Psalm 25, 'Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my saviour and my hope is in You all day long'. In Luke ch. 2, we find another Anna. Her name means 'grace', and one might visualise the eighty-four year old widow as a kindly listening presence in the Temple of Jerusalem. She devoted herself to prayer, perhaps gathering from needy souls, requests and petitions to bring constantly to the mercies of the Lord, in direct challenge to the spiritual enemy who was their accuser, day and night, before God. Rev. 12. Anna was a valiant prayer warrior. We are moving now towards Harvest Time, the season that rewards early work and expectation. The fields are rich with hay for winter feeding for animals, the golden heads of sunflower seeds for birds, and plentiful cereal crops and ripe fruit for mankind. Old age too, is a season of harvest. Like the two Annas, the devotion and willingly given efforts of a lifetime should reap rich rewards in the soul and the spirit, despite the waning of physical energies. We who have yet to experience that season of life, catch glimpses of reward for labours along the way, and marvel at the stories of pilgrimage and preservation. The elderly have the right to call in some favours. May we, who are still sowing seeds or ploughing difficult fields, in our turn see a goodly harvest in warm relationships, love returned, sacrifices appreciated and faithfulness celebrated. And may we always remember to bring our basket of first fruits of praise to God, our never-failing provider. Iris Niven (September 2003) Apples of GoldWe are fortunate in our temperate climate, to have seasons that have given rise to regional and national traditions, marking their arrival and passing. We all have memories of summer events when families and village communities would prepare with eager anticipation for the crowning of the Rose Queen, Midsummer Fairs, Feast Week, graduation parades, agricultural shows and outdoor theatre. When school term ended, families packed for journeys back to ancestral home areas, or spent the summer evenings playing lawn tennis, cricket on the Green, and fishing or swimming in local pools and rivers. We cycled to picnics in the woods and entertained ourselves until bedtime, using imagination and initiative, with the simplest of props and resources. Our happiest childhood memories are fancifully lodged in endless sunshine when we played outdoors all day, making dens, rope swings and tree houses. Life was full of delicious aromas such as jam making, fresh flowers, strawberries, honeysuckle and the distinctive fragrance of newly mown grass. We watched fledglings take flight, knew the sounds of local birds, and watched butterflies and frogs develop from unlikely beginnings. Life had a wonderfully tangible reality far removed from the computer-generated images of modern living. Our senses were tuned into a diverse creation that offered endless stimulation. Of course there were boring wet afternoons too, along with squabbles and disappointments, but according to research by Dr Susan Charles, on memory loss, we become increasingly selective with age, remembering 'the good old days' with a rosy glow. Apparently, the elderly become more adept at regulating emotional attachments to memory, and thus focus on positive recollections. Memory is the God-given facility that helps us to know who we are, since the sum of our experiences impacts on our personality. We have an urge to pass on our memoirs to our children because they explain where we fit into the dynasty that renews itself with each generation. The mind is like a treasure held in an 'earthen vessel', especially a mind regenerated by the revelation of God's salvation. From this treasure we donate to the future, a set of core concepts and values that have guided our lives with purpose and direction. These values include, love, care, honesty, faith in God and faith in each other. 'For you have been my hope In 'The Message', the writer continues the theme of God's enduring grace throughout a lifetime with these words, 'You got me when I was an unformed youthIn Genesis 32, we find the dramatic story of Jacob's struggle with a Wrestler at Jabbok, after which he emerged with a new name, and a limp. The limp became the physical evidence of a time when God touched Jacob and changed him. When we recount our memories, we need to focus on the positive blessings that our Shepherd God has bestowed on us, and on the times when He met us in difficult seasons of doubt and despair, changing our perspective and directing our gaze to eternal concepts and revelations. Then, when we speak of these things to our children, our words will not weigh heavily with bitterness and regret, but will instead be as 'apples of gold in settings of silver'. What a legacy to pass on! Iris Niven (July 2003) The Letter.In the folk museum of Omagh, there hangs a painting by the artist James Brenan. It depicts the interior of a sparcely furnished simple cottage. Centre stage, stands a little girl, reading aloud from a letter that has arrived from America. Around her, three generations of the family sit in rapt attention, absorbing every word of news from a loved one living far across the sea. The grandfather leans on the scrubbed wooden table, his imagination stirred and his thoughts soaring beyond the poverty of his surroundings to a land of opportunity and adventure. Perhaps many times in his youth, he had stood on the shingled beach watching the huge foam-topped breakers rolling in under the Atlantic wind and had longed to board one of the ships that sailed away over the far horizon. Now, in his old age, he had to rely on the eyewitness account on one who had made the journey and had seen for himself, the place of dreams. Despite the fact that we in modern times, have seen so much of the world through the eye of a camera lens, it is still a special joy to receive a personal letter giving news of someone we love. The word NEWS itself is significant for it made from the initial letters of the four points of the compass, North, East, West and South. News reaches us from all around the globe, yet the best news comes from above, from our Heavenly Father. When the writers of the four gospels were inspired to pen their eye witness accounts of the life of Jesus, they could not have imagined the world that we inhabit today, yet their relevant words still stir our thoughts and emotions, challenge our motives and open lives to the transforming power of the Good News of salvation through faith in Christ. Jesus became the Father's love-letter to us. A love letter tells the recipient about the passion of the innermost soul. God tells us exactly how he feels about us and all our ways. Through the writings of the Apostle John, we read that Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt on the earth for a while, demonstrating the abundant love of God and teaching us eternal truths. John assures us that there is an unquestionable reality in the experience of seeing, hearing and touching the one who came as the human expression of the Deity. How sad it would have been if the old man in Brenan's painting had torn the letter from the child's hands, declaring it to be, 'Lies, all lies!', or if the letter had been placed unopened, to gather dust on a shelf. The words of Jesus, faithfully recorded in Scripture, are personal messages to us today in our individual situations. In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul tells the early Christians, that the transforming work of God was being exhibited in them, to a watching world. They had become living epistles. God had written Christ upon their hearts, just as surely as He had written the law on the tablets of stone. We are open letters, read by everyone. 2Corinth.v3. Nowadays, we may be the ONLY Bibles to be witnessed by many people. In 1928, an old friend wrote these words in my mother's autograph book. 'Let us then resolve to be large print Bibles, well illustrated with moving pictures of love, kindness and patience with joyfulness which the events of daily life give us an opportunity to manifest.' We complain about the post nowadays. It has become unreliable. As living letters, we carry a first class stamp, the seal and authority of God's signet ring which bears His name. Haggai 2v23. God has written His letter to mankind. May we not fail to deliver such good news. Iris Niven (June 2003) Overcomers
The Lark undaunted Wings its flight Piercing the clouds To sunlit height An overcomer, brave with hope Though nothing is in sight It knows beyond the obscuring veil Exists a place of purest light. Our island history is built on the spirit of overcomers, those who challenge fearful odds, and searched deep into personal resources of courage, ingenuity and integrity, to bring about triumph over adversity. The Church too, has a glorious role-call of saints, martyrs and pioneers who looked beyond the small picture of immediate trials to glimpse the bigger plan. They gained the perspective of future generations and claimed promises yet unfulfilled, but precious to the eyes of faith. From this higher viewpoint we are reminded of past deliverances based on trust in the living God. 'When all thy mercies, O my God My rising soul surveys Transported with the view, I'm lost In wonder, love and praise.' When Caleb's army attempted to retake the town of Debir, they found that it was heavily fortified and fiercely defended. Caleb issued a challenge, promising the hand of his daughter Achsah in marriage to the warrior who restored Debir to the Israelites. Othniel, 'the Lion of God' overcame every obstacle to win a great victory. He later subdued the attacking armies of the King of Mesopotamia and became the first of the Judges, or Deliverers, to oversee the welfare of the Nation of Israel, ushering in forty years of peace and prosperity. Othniel was an overcomer, imbued with wisdom, skill and courage from God, and thus became the Lord's instrument for working out the wider plan of the nation's history. He was a forerunner of Jesus, 'the Lion of the Tribe of Judah', who said, 'In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16v33. Later, the Apostle John echoed these words with a further application. 'This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God.' 1John5. It is this statement of trust that opens the windows of heaven to those who need to rise above difficult circumstances. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of three words, 'Impossible, difficult, done.' The Apostle Paul provided this encouragement for personal assurance, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.' Phil4v13. As overcomers, we turn to face the stark reality of what exists, and then challenge the limitations and privations. The most amazing feats have often been achieved by those who have initially plunged to despair, realizing their inadequacy against overwhelming odds. It is at this point that God is able to pour His grace and love into the situation, and to inspire new solutions, fresh resources and the strength to go on. Hope dismisses despair, courage banishes defeat, and faith envisages that which is not yet visible. We have the popular phrase, 'Rise with the Lark,' meaning being willing to make an early start to the day. However, perhaps we should keep in mind another aspect of rising up with the Lark. We can be overcomers, rising above the gray mediocrity and the obscuring mist of hopelessness, to glimpse and reach the pure sunlight of God's blessing. Iris Niven (May 2003) The White StoneLucy was leaving the mission station where she had spent most of her childhood. It was time to return to England to complete her education and medical training. Watching her packing for the journey, her little friend Kora anticipated the separation with obvious distress. 'I will miss you so much Miss Lucy'. 'I will miss you too Kora, but some day I will return. In the meantime, I would like to give you my Sunday bonnet'. Lucy turned the brim in her hands and explained, 'When you look at the flowers, you will see the story of Jesus. See, here is the little pink one for his birth in Bethlehem, then the white one for the purity of his life. Next comes the red one...' 'I know what that one says,' added Kora. 'It is the cross where Jesus died to save me'. 'Yes indeed! Then the blue flower is for his resurrection and his ascension to heaven'. Kora's eyes lit up. 'This lovely yellow one must be for his glory as the King of Kings'. Several months later, a letter arrived in England. 'Dear Miss Lucy Thank you so much for the bonnet. When I wear it I feel that God's love is all around my head'. As our calendar moves towards Easter, we see evidence of God's love all around us as nature reawakens from winter's sleep. But how do we express in words, the magnitude and abundance of God's love in the Easter story of the Cross? It begins back in the eternal councils of a holy God longing for reconciliation to his unholy children. The familiar words of John 3v16 give perfect expression to the divine love that knows no limits. 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life'. Writing to his fellow Christians at Rome, the Apostle Paul explains that human failure to keep the Law of God established the need for mercy and grace without compromising righteousness. Romans 3v22-25, 'This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemptive power that came by Jesus Christ. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in His blood'. Such love, so vast, so deep, so powerful finds its full expression in the cry from the Cross, 'Father, forgive them!' It was an ancient Bedhouin tradition that if a man sinned against another of his tribe in such a way that he was condemned to death, a transaction could be agreed, 'blood money' given, and the culprit set free. Always afterwards, he would have a large white stone displayed in front of his tent to indicate that no harm should be done to him; he was forgiven, the price had been paid and he was now justified as though innocent. Walking along a little shingle beach by Loch Lomond on New Year's Day, I picked up a small white pebble as a symbol of each person in my thoughts and prayers. It was only afterwards that I realised that each white pebble represented a precious soul for whom the redemption price had been paid. As we prepare the Easter eggs that remind us of the stone that rolled away from the empty tomb, we can respond with deep soul-searching gratitude for the all-surpassing love of God that reaches out to us. Perhaps we might place a white stone somewhere and say, 'I am precious child, redeemed, forgiven, loved and cherished now, and for eternity'. Iris Niven (April 2003) Brightness of the HeavensDo you have a definition for star quality? Ask a film critic and he may tell you that it is the ability to sideline everyone else on the screen. Ask an entrepreneur and he may consider that it is the skill to persuade hordes of consumers to buy things that they did not need. Ask some who met the late Queen Mother and they may reply that star quality is that attentiveness that makes everyone feel special for a while.The Swiss village of Chateau d'Oex was the home of the writer and film star David Niven, and consequently he was buried nearby. There is nothing significant about his grave, and memories of the quintessential English gentleman are fading. Fame is fickle and transient. A few metres away, lies another grave inscribed with the name Rene Perret. In his youth he had been a colporteur, trekking high into the mountains to reach remote areas with his pack of Bibles. On his gravestone, family members have lovingly engraved God's definition of star quality, from Daniel 12v3. 'Those who lead many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever'. I have often stood at night on a steep hillside above the valley where the town of Aberfeldy lay asleep. Directly opposite, rose the towering, magnificent Mt Schiehallion. Streaming in the pure, clear air above its snowcap, a million dazzling stars light up the vast dome of the sky. How gloomy and daunting the valley would be without the awesome, transforming light of the stars. When God defines star quality, he draws our gaze upwards to the eternal light of the truth and righteousness that shines through the darkness of evil and adversity. Potentially, we all have star quality by God's definition. Faith ignites it. Jesus says, 'I am the Light of the world', John 8 v12. He urged his followers to let their light shine before all mankind, to shine for love, holiness, and righteousness. In the Bible, we find the story of Esther, whose name means 'star'. She possessed such beauty that the king desired her above all other women. Yet Esther was neither self-seeking nor vain. She understood that her purpose was to shed the light of truth onto a dark injustice and to save her nation from an impending massacre. She was prepared to risk her life to do so, and her memory shines brightly in Jewish history to this day. A certain traveller brought home a gift for his wife. It seemed rather an insignificant trinket box on first perception. However, it bore the inscription, 'Place me in the sunlight and I will glow for you all through the night.' It was at night that its luminous beauty was displayed. In a darkening world, the light of eternal truth will only be visible if the star in you is shining. We may not have the diligence of Rene Perret or the courage or status of Esther, but God asks each of us to be a star in his firmament, absorbing and reflecting his light. So where can star quality be found? It can be found in YOU! Iris Niven (March 2003) |
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