Experiences
For the last three leaflets I received what I was to write about very early in the week but today (Saturday) my mind was still blank, then I came across two quotes on the subject of experience. I had never heard of either of the people being quoted, and it was not a Christian book I was reading but a puzzle one, however it seemed to be an answer to my prayer. The quotes were “If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we would all be millionaires” (Abigail van Buren) and “Experience is a comb that is given to you when you have already lost your hair” (Giorgios Zambetas). A quick look at Bob M’s favourite, Wikipedia, tells me the first is the pseudonym of an American columnist and agony aunt (Pauline Phillips) and the second is probably a Greek bouzouki player, although his first name is spelt slightly differently.
I have actually been thinking about experience on and off over the last few weeks as we have considered the need for renewal, growth and outreach in the church. No one can come to Christ without experiencing their own “road to Emmaus” moment, (Luke 24:13-35), we cannot be born again vicariously through someone else’s experiences, we have to make our own commitment. For some people the whole thing seems to be joyous and straightforward but for others there is a lot of soul searching and pain. Even when we have been there once, we may drift and do a lot of agonising before we find our way back to Christ. Those of us who have been through this may wish to do all we can to prevent someone dear to us undergoing the same trauma but we cannot, all we can do is be there when they need love and support.
Advice is unlikely to be taken, as the person wrestling to keep hold on what they believe to be most important will not be receptive. The Devil will do all he can to isolate them and make them doubt our motives. In the dark lonely place that your mind becomes, it is impossible to tell which way is up, which of the voices in your head is telling the truth. The reasoning on all sides is most persuasive and with no frame of reference decisions are impossible. The Devil does not look evil, he is cultured and educated and can quote as much Bible as the next man but he twists scripture to his own use and manipulates understanding. He uses God’s own words against Him, he tries to separate us from those who can help.
To return to those two quotations, our experiences make us who we are, and then they become a reminder to keep us on the straight and narrow. We would love to be able to pass on our insight and if it were possible we would probably achieve a fortune as they cost us dear, but it is not possible and everyone learns by their own experiences (except Mark who persists in the same routine each Sunday even thought it is proven weekly that it does not get him to church on time!).
Last week I heard a golf professional talking on the television. He said that before he became a Christian he could not enjoy his life because he was constantly worrying about the fact it was finite. Once he accepted Jesus as His personal saviour he realised he had eternal life and did not need to worry about the beauty around him ending. As one who has been there, I know what he means but to many it must seem a strange concept. Life is so much easier when you stop worrying about everything and rely on the Holy Spirit’s constant presence to take care of you. It is so reassuring to know you are never alone, He can get into any place you are whether it be in a real prison or a psychological one of your own making, you only have to call out His name.
At Thursday’s meeting I found myself unable to find a Bible passage with which to open, all I had was an old hymn (Fight the good fight) going round in my head and then I realised there was an important line “Faint not nor fear, His arms are near, He changes not and thou art dear”. God loves us and never stops even if we drift away. He will always put out His hand to help us if we ask. We just need to try, when it works (and it will) this is the only experience we need.
