Thursday 5th Dec

Ive been thinking about what is different in my life today from this time last year when I was writing the Advent Blog.   And I was about to say ' not much'  when I cast my eye on the reading for today in one of the Daily Bible things Ive got lying around .  ( I go through phases..... you know how it is :)  )
The reading is from Deuteronomy

Reading this I realised that one thing has changed since this time last year - and its the fact that over the past year I have had several very significant encounters with people who know nothing about God at all but who have been very hungry to find out about Him.    Three people, knowing I am a Christian, have asked me to pray for them - even though they happily admit they dont really know if God actually exists.   And guess what?  God has dramatically and wonderfully answered their prayers.   Well why wouldnt He?  He loves people.  You can hear it in that passage from Deuteronomy.  CHOOSE LIFE!   Please choose life.  There is blessing and hope and stability and peace to be found when you make the right choice.  This year more than any other I have seen God in action calling to people who dont yet know Him.   I have seen Him loving people who have lost everything, being practically caring to those who need specific help and starting to answer the deep questions of life which tie people in knots and prevent them from being free to believe.

God is kind.

God is good

And He is exciting and somewhat dangerous.

It has been a real priviledge and honour to be in conversation with so many people on many different levels this past year.  Some of them sitting on my sofa over cups of tea, some of them online.  Some of them barely recognising the call of God to them - others increasingly aware of a spiritual dimension to life and a need to discover it for themselves.

Lord, I pray for all those who are on a spiritual quest - those who know it and those who dont yet.  Thank you for people who fall across my path with whom I can share your goodness and kindness.  Thank you that you are a God who adores people and longs to show Yourself to those who have not met You yet.   it is exciting to see you opening eyes and giving understanding.  Help those of us who know You to see the hungry and be willing to tell our stories. Help us to be bold when we tell people that You are real and good and that You will answer their prayers.  Amen