Today I was shocked to read that eight refugees had chosen to sew up their mouths because of the destruction of homes in Calais jungle in France. Whatever your beliefs about refugees in Europe this is a disturbing expression of how desperate and disillusioned they are. Done because they feel they have no voice. An irony when many have left their countries because they wanted a voice that they could not have in their home nations for fear of reprisal, persecution, imprisonment and death.

We can take so much for granted. The freedom to speak, have an opinion, make a choice, and access support. Sometimes with that privilege comes a responsibility to care and act to help others who do not have a voice.

There may be times when we do speak and we are ignored, rejected and opposed. Yet the bible exhorts us to “speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.” (Proverbs 31:9-10 Common English Bible)

Sometimes our shyness prevents us for speaking. Or fear grips our heart and we just can’t get any words out. God is our helper. In our weakness his power is made manifest. And his love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18 NIV). There are times when we can retreat to the safety of prayer. Prayer is important but we also need to from that place engage as we feel led and moved. Isaiah 1:15-17 expresses this principle. When we pray we are encouraged to get our hearts right before God. To stop doing evil. Then to “learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” (New American Standard Bible). Here reproving, defending and pleading require using our voice on behalf of others.

It maybe that we think we are not eloquent enough or that we are not intelligent enough or important enough. The bible says that God “chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV) And sometimes the voice we have can come through our actions, our silence and even our presence communicating care, commitment, opposition and reconciliation.

And there is not only the voice we speak but also the voice we hear but sometimes we need to make space to listen or to be open to believe that God may speak. Hebrews 3:15 says “today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” You may say that you have never heard God’s voice. His voice speaks through creation. His voice speaks through the wisdom and counsel of others. His truth is found in the bible. His voice can be audible or a whisper. God may speak through dreams and visions. Sometimes we don’t always recognise when God is speaking to us. It may take others to make this clear. The boy Samuel did not know it was God speaking to him. It was Eli who discerned that it was God that was speaking to Samuel. He was told by Eli to “go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “speak, Lord for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9 NIV)

And so as I consider the eight refugees who have stitched up their lips and all refugees who are feeling they have no voice I encourage you to be thankful for the freedoms you have and to not take these for granted. And from that place of thanks consider how you may make a difference to those who have no voice. And to use your voice to encourage, inspire, defend, exhort, challenge, correct, heal, reconcile, and communicate love.

Maybe the words you speak are negative and judgemental of others. Or maybe other people have spoken negative and judgemental words over you. God loves you and he can transform, heal and restore. Sometimes we need to use our voice to ask God the questions that act as a barrier to knowing him. The Alpha course across the world has given people the opportunity to meet with others that have questions and to explore the Christian faith sharing a meal with others. This may be something that you would like to do.

Whatever you believe I encourage you to have a voice, be a voice for others who need support and to make space to hear his voice for you.

I am writing this in the lead up to Christmas in the UK and the question for many will be what can I give? What gift can I give to a friend or a relative? Or even what I can afford to give?

But is this all that Christmas represents? An annual gift giving exchange. Yet each gift that is wrapped has taken thought, time, transport and money.

In the story of the magi (wise men) in the bible in Matthew 2 we read that they had travelled from the East because they had seen the star for the King of the Jews and they wanted to come and worship him. They went to Herod the King and asked where they could find him? Perhaps they thought he would be in a palace because he was a King?

When they left Herod they followed the star to where the young Child was. When they saw Jesus they fell down and worshipped him. Only then did they get out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh from their treasure chests. They had thought what gifts would be appropriate. Gold for a King. Frankincense a symbol of fragrance and worship and myrrh as anointing oil.

I used to play the piano when I was younger and I had a hymn book. I can remember a moment when a light went on in my heart. I read a verse from the song In the Bleak Mid Winter written by Christina Rossetti. It says “what can I give him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.” As I read these words I recognised that there was something bigger than anything material in life that we can give. And that was our heart. Our love, our commitment and our worship.

Before the Magi (wise men) gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus they worshipped him. They gave from their hearts. This Christmas as we exchange gifts with those we know pause and remember the first Christmas and what it says about what is important in life. That it is not just the material gift we give someone but the love we have in our heart for them. It is not just about a once in a year present but also giving time to them and getting to know them the rest of the year.

When the Magi (wise men) gave their gifts they met the greatest gift to humanity in Jesus. The gift of a relationship with God for those who choose to believe in him. The gift of eternal life. The gift of forgiveness and transformation. And as we give our hearts we receive his love, his forgiveness and his comfort in whatever is going on.

In Revelation 3:20 it says “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”

Maybe this Christmas you have no one to celebrate with. Maybe you have lots of people around you and still feel alone. Maybe you just want to know Jesus. If as you have read this you have felt God may be speaking to you then invite him in.

A few months ago I spoke to a group about how I had gone through years of wilderness. During this period of wilderness it was difficult and I wondered whether there would be a time when things would change. I guess it was my heart that changed first. I realised that I needed to stop seeing God as my enemy but as my friend and advocate, my Lord and Saviour. I was angry with God that certain things had happened and this anger had built up over a period of time. I was honest and real with God about this. There was no point hiding as he knew everything. And it was a relief to just share with him how things had been hard and painful and then confess the the things that were not good in my own heart and ask for his forgiveness and transformation. No quick easy answers. Looking back now I can see that my faith blossomed in the wilderness as I came to know God more and his care for me.

In the book of Isaiah 35:1 it says “the desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom”. Further on in the chapter there is a wonderful promise “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way, say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not not fear..”

Blossoms come before fruit. So the blossoms that come in the wilderness can in time become fruitful in our lives and in the lives of others. And yet there is a vulnerability for blossoms to the weather. I can remember a number of times hearing a weather forecaster on the radio saying cover your plants as there is a frost on the way.

A few years ago I went to a peace conference and I wrote to one of the speakers. He sent me a postcard with the following words “it is in the shelter of each other that people live.” What a beautiful expression. We are not to be stand alone but be part of something bigger. The command to love God and love our neighbours speaks of the importance of relationship. When we go out in the cold we make sure that we are adequately covered to protect ourselves from the elements. And in this world we can look out for others and cover them in prayer and care.

One of the classic images of protection is the armour in the book of Ephesians (Chapter 6:10-20). Yet foundational to this is knowing where our strength comes from. Not from anything we are but because of who he is. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation come as we turn our eyes away from ourselves to him. And then to others as we pray with all kinds of prayers and requests so that others can know the love of Jesus in their lives and situations.

Sometimes we do not know we are in blossom until the fruit comes. And yet there is a promise that if we abide in God we will bear much fruit. In the book of Galatians we read of the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. We may fail and we do fail but God is our advocate and is there if we ask for his help and forgiveness. May God bless you whether you are in dessert, wilderness, or in the hub of activity. May you blossom and bear fruit that will bring care and love to others.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have to make a decision that you know is significant and you have a choice? A crossroad moment. It is so easy to rush ahead without taking time to think it through. Sometimes what appears attractive can compromise who we are and what we believe in. Our principles can be thrown out of the window for money, fame and security. A crossroad moment may also be all about timing. If we have responsibilities we need to work out whether they can be met if we do a certain thing. It maybe chatting to those we love and seeing what they think and whether they support us. In the bible it says “plans fail for lack of counsel” (Proverbs 15:22). It is recognising people of wisdom that can help us as we look at what we should do. If people have a vested interest they are not always the ones to ask.

This morning I was chatting about a crossroad decision I have made in the last few days to a group from church. One of this group shared the following words from the bible “it is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices” (Proverbs 19:2). The verse before this says “better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.” The verse after Proverbs 19:2 says “The foolishness of man ruins his way. And his heart rages against the Lord.”

Crossroad moments can sometimes bring us to the place of facing a past failure, or challenge, or fear. It maybe we then realise that we still have pain, anger, shame and bitterness in our hearts. As a Christian I believe that I am not alone in this and that God can bring his healing into my memories, my emotions and my understanding in time as I am honest and raw and real with him asking questions and praying that he will help me have wisdom. Sometimes the healing comes as we make decisions to be involved in things we had walked away from or be reconciled with people that had hurt us. Sometimes it is wise not to engage or revisit things or people we have known in the past.

A crossroad moment can come out of the blue and we have to make an instantaneous decision At other times we have the choice of deliberation and consideration. Sometimes the choice we want is not there and the only choice we do have is how we respond and look at the situation and what we do to help others impacted. There is a wonderful word in the bible that says “in my heart I store up your words, so that I might not sin against you”. Psalm 119:11. As we read the bible these words can help us in those crunch moments when we look for instantaneous wisdom and comfort in the heat of the storm to help us make choices. Some of these are in moments and periods of time of dark despair and crisis. One promise we have for sure is that God is with us at those crossroad moments and ongoing challenges. In our difficulties, in persecution, in questions and pain he is there with us.

The bible specifically refers to crossroads. In Jeremiah 6:16 it says “stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” As you look and make decisions in the crossroad moments of your life may you know the good way and find peace in all circumstances.

We all have things we follow. It maybe a football team or a pop band. It maybe an author or a political party. It maybe someone on twitter or social media. It maybe people we aspire to be like.

Years ago I was sat in my parents house. I was about 15 years of age. We had a guest from America who was a businessman. He looked me in the eyes and asked me “are you a leader or a follower, a winner or a loser?” I was quite thrown by this question and did not know how to respond. He then shared a story about how he had worked for a company and one day he was told his boss was in the building. His boss found him sat in his office with his feet up on his desk and he said to him “I don’t pay for you to put your feet up on your desk” and he replied “no you pay me to increase sales and this is what I have done.” He then said after this he realised he could not work for anyone else.

I have often pondered over this conversation. As a Christian I love how Jesus turned everything upside down and the right way up. Yes he said “follow me” but he also washed his disciples feet. He came to serve but yet had authority. He said the least would be the greatest in heaven. People followed him because they had questions, they had pain, they were tormented, they had heard good report of him, they were burdened by their sins and he met them where they were and ministered into their situation. He was concerned with their heart condition. He addressed their need for forgiveness and relationship with the Father as of the utmost importance as well as their physical, intellectual and emotional needs. He came not to condemn but to save. I have followed many things and people in my life but the one thing that continues to draw me and move me, change me and challenge me, turn everything upside down and the right way up, exposing my hidden motives and bringing me into unchartered waters of faith and dependence on him in all the shakings of life has been my faith in Jesus. He has never let me down. There have been times when people have but he has never let me down. As I have been honest with him he has both carried me and helped me follow his ways and apply the counsel of his word into my life and this has kept me in the storms. I have found myself meeting people I would never have met and learning so much from them. People may come and go but the love of God remains. His love never fails.

When I asked the question what’s the point? all those years ago I felt so alone. I was frustrated by my own failures and the failures of others. Into that vacuum of disillusionment Jesus revealed himself and I encountered his love and word. I knew that this love was everything I had ever wanted or looked for and this was who I wanted to follow. It is good to have many interests but there is the danger of putting things or people we follow on a pedestal and when they are not able to maintain our expectations we find ourselves disappointed. The thing about following Jesus is it is not a selfish thing it is something that leads you to care for others and share what he has done for you. It has a cost but in it there is the sweetness of knowing you are loved and that God has a plan and a purpose for you with all the giftings, experience and positioning you have. To live a life of integrity and service that prefers others. I leave you with the question “who do you follow?”

When I was a conference last weekend I heard the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). David was offered King Saul’s armour to wear when he fought Goliath but when he tried it on he realised that he was not familiar with it and it would not help him do what he wanted to do. David took off the armour and went and collected 5 smooth stones from the stream and put these in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. He then used his sling to throw a stone at Goliath which brought him down and then David was able to kill him. David’s experience of being a shepherd protecting his sheep from lions and bears helped him defeat Goliath. Along with his faith in God. 1 Samuel 17:37 says “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

I was given the opportunity to speak about a ministry that I am involved in and passionate about. I began to feel nervous about this. But then I thought about the story of David and Goliath and this encouraged me to be myself using what was in my hand. I did not have to wear someone elses armour and be somebody I was not. When I did speak I was able to use my past experience of public speaking to make the vision plain so that others could run with it if they chose to.

Last night I was at a meeting when someone spoke about open faces. How it is important that we are able to live a life of love wherever we go and whatever we do. That people can see our care and compassion for them in our faces. As we reflected together on this we realised that we needed to spend time with God reading the bible, being honest and real with him in prayer and giving him praise. In the bible it speaks of Christians who have forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-7). They had done many good deeds but God was calling them back into the place of intimate relationship with him. As we receive the love he has for us we can then overflow with the hope we have in him.

In Colossians 3:13 it says that when we are chosen by God to live a life of love we should dress in the wardrobe God has picked out for us “compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (the Message) People can look amazing in the latest fashion but when they speak and act this beauty can be short lived. On the other hand you can have people that may dress very ordinary and yet their actions and words make them beautiful. The bible says that man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

What are you wearing? The bible speaks of being clothed in righteousness. It maybe that you think good deeds are enough. Christians believe that all fall short and that we need the mercy and forgiveness of God. We believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive us for all the things we have done wrong and make us clean. Jesus rose gain so that we can have a relationship with him here on earth and for all eternity.

Recently we had the birth of Princess Charlotte in the UK and whilst reading some of the media reports around this there was a phrase I came across about those who were not the next in line to the throne being spares there in case they were needed. I did not like the phrase and some days later I was thinking upon this some more and it struck me how different the Christian message is. Those who believe in Jesus are all heirs not spares.

So what does the bible say about heirs. We become heirs because of what Jesus has done on the cross not on our own merit or even parents. Titus 3:4-7 says that “when the kindness of God our Saviour and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

God has no favourites and his heart is for the poor and marginalised as well as the rich and positioned. We can all become heirs if we trust in Him. What a promise.

The book of Jonah in the bible is a book that I would encourage you to read. There is a question asked that just jumped out at me and this is it “who is responsible for this calamity?” Chapter 1:7. In many ways this is the question that a lot of people are asking “how did we get such a huge debt?”, “Why is there such a need for food banks?, why are there so many evils that seem to flourish?….

The context of this question is a storm, a violent storm. The sailors on the boat are each crying out to their own god. They had even thrown out the cargo (their livelihood) as they were so fearful. Jonah was below deck, in a place where there was no action, not seen, asleep. The captain went to him and said “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.” (Chapter 1:5-6)

When the storm hits it is so easy to be in denial. To shut our eyes and hope it will go away. To not be responsible or engaged in helping keep things afloat. But ultimately people notice if Christians are not there. They are trying to do what they can do to help in the times we are in but it is all hands to the deck including Christians.

When the sailors cast lots to find out who is responsible for the calamity the lot fell on Jonah and this is what they asked him. “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” The sailors are wanting answers for the predicament they find themselves in. Why is it happening?

Jonah answers “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” The sailors response is they are terrified because they already knew that he was running away from the Lord because he had already told them. They ask “what should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” and Jonah says “pick me up and throw me into the sea”, into where the turbulence and danger is and “it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” He acknowledges that it is his lack of obedience in doing what God had asked him to do that had brought on the storm. How many people have been asked by God to do something and they have run? They have slept? They have hidden themselves from the action?

The sailors threw Jonah overboard and the sea grew calm and because of this the sailors sacrificed to the Lord and made vows to him. God revealed himself to them in the storm, in the shakings, in the questions.

Jonah himself found himself in a place of incarceration in a fish for three days and three nights. This time not below decks. Inside that place of limitation Jonah prayed to God. He then is vomited onto dry land and has a second chance to do what God has asked him too. Jonah obeyed and Ninevah got right with God including the King and his nobles, those in authority. Jonah has to take himself into the dark place and speak the words God had given him.

Jonah has an interesting reaction. He gets angry when God forgives the people of Ninevah and he then has to learn that God cares for all the people in the city and is concerned for their welfare. God cares for the people of the UK and other nations in the world and is concerned for their welfare.

May be as you read this you are like the sailors. You worship other gods and yet you are asking why are these things happening? May be like Jonah you are comfortable and hidden and yet you know there is a storm going on. May be you feel disappointed that Christians have not engaged with what is happening around you or may have made things worse. May be you are a Christian and you have felt you should do something but you have been on the run…. Whatever you believe there is a message here of starting where you are, seeking truth, recognising the storms of life, taking responsibility, not being in denial and not running.

In the UK at the moment it is the lead up to the elections and people are not certain what is going to happen. There are people who I have spoken to who are weary and wary of politicians and just do not know who to vote for and if they will vote at all.

In John 8 we read of a woman caught in adultery. There were people who wanted to know what Jesus thought and his response was not to condemn the woman but to challenge those who intended to stone her. He said “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” When the people heard him say this they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest. Jesus then turns to the woman and says “where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” She replies, “No, Lord” and Jesus says “neither do I. Go and sin no more.” It is so easy to judge and condemn politicians and yet we all fall short.

In the book of Jonah we read of God’s call for Jonah to go and speak to the people of Ninevah. Jonah runs from this call and ends up in a fish before finally doing what he was asked and the people of Ninevah then got right with God. In the UK at the moment there are various campaigns encouraging Christians who feel called to join political parties and I wonder if there are people who are reading this who have been running from this call. They may be scared of speaking or even engaging with the big issues thinking that things will never change that their voice would not be heard and acted upon. It maybe even that you have gone through a wilderness period just like Jonah when he was in the whale. Maybe you have become hurt and disillusioned by being part of politics in the past and yet being involved in politics is something that you still feel a drawing to. It maybe that you have no call to join a political party but you know people who do have this call and perhaps you could consider encouraging them and praying for them even if their politics is not your own. Or it maybe that you don’t know personally anyone involved in politics but you can pray for those in government and engage with the political system on matters close to your heart by writing to your MP or contacting your local councillor. Perhaps you have felt there is no point doing anything as the problems and concerns you have seem so big…

At church recently my minister was speaking about grace and it struck me that grace could be broken up into g – race and as I thought about this it struck me that we need God in the race to help us through all the shakings and challenges of life. He gives us g -race when things get too much and his grace forgives us when we fail. If someone in a race has their shoe laces undone they are likely to fall and in the heightened noise of a marathon it needs someone running close by to let them know when things are not right so that they can stop, tie up their laces and heed the warning. In life this is true too. When we have God in our lives he can give us discernment when we are doing something wrong so we can stop and change our ways. If Christians do not run or engage in politics their voice of warning cannot be heard along with their voice of vision, creativity and strategy.

When we watch a marathon there may be metal barriers in front of us seperating us from the runners. It may be that you watch what is happening in the political arena and you know things are wrong and you should be participating. Sometimes participating is making cups of tea or just being around to encourage others. It is not all about power and ambition. It could be that the words said by a nobody could be a word in season to someone who can then take that counsel into the corridors of power but if we do not show up or take time to engage or to pray or write or speak with our local councillors or MPs then we have no say in decision making and our voice and concerns will not be heard. If we wash our hands and say this sin has nothing to do with me and let others do what they want without challenge then the phrase of Edmund Burke comes to mind “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do do nothing.”

I do not know what will happen in this election but the bible says make your calling and election sure. We do this by asking Jesus to help us live lives that are right and true. He helps us with the areas we struggle in and is patient and forgiving. He is not here to condemn but to help bring transformation in our lives. Then we in turn can bless others because we come not to judge but to share in the grace we ourselves have received so we can speak up for those who have no voice, stand up for justice and live lives of compassion and service.

I often find it interesting to look at the way a word can be broken up. One such word is Justice or Just ice. Ice can be defined as a state of coldness. Our attitudes can be cold too. There can be a hardening of our hearts. And yet true justice is when there is a warmth of compassion that causes us to act, to speak, to go, to pray for, to challenge, to care for, to embrace, to journey with and to listen to others

Isaiah 1:17 says “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”.

It is interesting that this verse from the bible says “learn to do right”. It is not necessarily our automatic response. It is something we have to work at and apply. The good news is we can “learn to do right” whatever our age. It is never too late.

Leviticus 19:15 says “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly.”

I love how this exposes the tendency to either support the poor or the great. Here the command is to be fair. What a radical message.

Little actions can make a big difference. The bible says “do not despise the day of small things”. And so when we get the choice and opportunity to respond in warmth to stand with those who are oppressed or marginalised I do pray that we will find the time and ways to help those who face injustice in whatever form it may take. Help us to connect with others to do this.

When we feel our heart is cold there is a wonderful promise in the bible. In Ezekiel 11:19 it says “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”

When we feel overwhelmed by the injustices we can echo the prayer in the Psalms “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2) This helps us get beyond thinking about ourselves and considering what to focus on and how to make a difference.

Jesus was moved with compassion. When he met a leper who was an outcast in society he did not reject him. He stretched out His hand and touched him and healed him. Our words, our actions, our giving of our time and resources can touch the lives of others that face injustice throughout the world.

If there is a charity you have always felt you should support or get active in maybe this is something you could explore further…

I once believed that you had to be sorted to serve and I tried to get a number of issues resolved with limited success. One day I realised I could either wait with no guarantee that these issues would be resolved or I could get on with life with my faults, failings and scars from the past trusting in a God who could work in me and through me. Ironically once I made that decision and began to get involved in the voluntary sector and church I began to change and the issues that seemed important diminished and my character and outlook changed. Doors opened to new things and I met people I never would have met and I gained skills and confidence. I began to see that God delighted in me and I did not have to be perfect.