The Message from Hermese

God calls us into a pure relationship with him. This can't happen, though, if the curtain of the temple has not yet been torn in two from top to bottom. But didn't this happen at the crucifixion? Well, that was one curtain. There is, however, another curtain that must be torn. 

This week's piece discusses what it means to be blessed. Are you among the 'blessed and highly favoured'? 

You see, my friends, answering the call (just as Jesus answered the call to become incarnate and dwell among us), requires something more, something else, something more than ‘Yes’. Answering the call, my friends, requires a transition. Answering the call, requires movement, it requires going somewhere that places us in contact with others with whom we will work. Answering the call is not only about our personal journey. Answering the call, is also about incorporating others into a communal journey towards God.

I reflect upon these three examples of men who did not conceal who they were in the Lord, these men who accepted their God-given identity and responsibility and I wonder, ‘If they weren’t afraid, why have I been?’

That plan for salvation includes an approval, just as the Father declared His approval of the Son at the Son’s baptism. The plan for salvation includes an inspection that leads to an approval. Over the past few years since I’ve been sharing these messages with you, I have come to realise that HEWing – the process of increasing our Human Effectiveness at Work – has been that process of inspection for approval.

Friends, looked at this way, the Priestly Benediction is an offering of Jesus Christ to us all. And, if Christ is given to us, then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the promise of the Father. This blessing is perfect (of course, this good thing did came from God), but it is perfect because it is a reflection of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6) 

An invitation, an instruction, an appeal, a request – come. These four letters leave us wondering what’s on the other side of them. As an invitation, it beckons us to experience something with another. As an instruction, it is to do something. As an appeal, it communicates urgency. As a request, it tunes us into something else. Come.

I rejoice notwithstanding the misfortunes of the world. I rejoice, not because of what I see or because I am disconnected from the suffering of the world, but I rejoice because of the hope that God continues to give me to persevere through my trials. I rejoice because God continues to feed me with good things (physical and spiritual). I rejoice because God is faithful and just.

WARNING! Something heavy is going down. Watch out! A change is gonna come. Something’s gonna upset the apple cart. Those who’ve been ignoring the call to turn around, those who’ve ignored the yellow, amber and even the red alerts are going to face the fire. Those who thought the time to account for their sinful ways would never come must now suffer the consequences of their hardness of heart.