Deadlines

I may have mentioned before that my London journalist son extols the value of deadlines. 'They are the journalist's best friend', he claims. Their clarity gives end-points and provides motivation. I know as a student I didn't always appreciate end-points and they tended to provide panic! Two weeks ago I  received a contract for writing my bible reading notes declaring the deadline was 1 September 2025.  Now that caused surprised panic. Owing to Carol's downturn in health this commission had somewhat shuffled off my working agenda. Though, mercifully, Sept. 1 proved to be a mistake, the deadline remains only a few weeks away. So, clarity and motivation!

I wrote (Aug 6 post) that my notes are for Christmas 2026 focusing on Paul's letter to the Philippians. So I am seeking to immerse in Philippians at the same time as picturing the experience of the busy days leading up to Christmas. I wonder if, within the Christmas churn, Paul's letter can be heard afresh. Are there particular challenges to which the Spirit seeks to alert me?  

One thing struck me as I read the opening verses (Phil 1: 1-11). After conventional greetings we plunge into an affectionate thanksgiving for this young church. (So much of this letter is affectionate and personable). I have read this opening section many times but never at Christmas. You know what struck me?  The astonishing fact that this letter is written by less than 70 years after the Christmas events.  Too often the baby in a manger is worshipped in a holy bubble forgetting how this birth begins a fast moving explosive story of world transformation. Paul himself, writing under house arrest, probably in Rome around AD 61 is part of this transformation. Once a proud, zealous Pharisee, a venomous hater of Christians he is now utterly changed as a servant of Jesus. The way he writes, his love and confidence in Jesus Christ is boldly shared seven times in these few verses. How dramatically God has worked in his life. It's the same with this local church. Within 70 years it's one of the many communities on mission with Jesus, demonstrating qualities of life together that testifies to a transformed community. 

It shows how powerfully the gospel of Jesus moves from the manger, shepherds and wisemen to real spiritual happenings. Men and women living transformed lives.  We need to remember that the same Lord God continues to be at work right now. With prayer and expectation we should never limit God's grace and power that can change people and build churches in the darkest of times.  Never forget the propulsive dynamic of gospel grace still transforms in God's timing, right where we are. 

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