The night I was due to submit my reflection to the church office for this week I found myself engaging with someone I love dearly in a counselling capacity.

After dinner I had made myself a cup of tea and walked upstairs to the study to edit my piece for submission.

As I got to the top of the stairs this person was, unusually for them, hovering at their doorway. Not prone to showing emotion, their facial expression betrayed a sadness behind desperate eyes as I passed them. Leaving my tea next to the computer I found myself going back and simply holding this person in a close embrace for what seemed like minutes.

This gesture led to a discussion on what was bothering them. There were many tears and a rare outpouring of feelings. Direction, future, university, friendships, procrastination, ambition, regrets, happiness, jealousy, money and love were just some of the teenage angst talked through in the following hours. Being completely honest, at times I was unsure of what to say, conscious that whatever I said was being taken seriously by someone in need of guidance, advice and support.

The cup of tea had long gone cold when I got back, but sitting at my desk I found myself reflecting on the privilege and responsibility of helping those in distress at their time of need, and the impact our words and actions can have. I give thanks that we have in Jesus the greatest counsellor, and for the model He provides for us.

The embrace

Paul speaks of the encirclement we receive by saying “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”

Words of wisdom

James talks in chapter 3 of his letter of “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Moving forward…

Paul, writing to the Philippians, gives us his experience providing directional guidance by sharing that; “… one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”