Some weeks ago, at our church’s Christmas fair, I bought a unique, handmade doll. She was one of many beautiful, quirky creations sitting hopefully on a table, as if looking for their rightful owners. The lady selling them explained she started making them during COVID as a way of expressing some of the bewilderment and angst many people were experiencing then, but later began bringing other whimsical ideas to life from the various materials she had at hand.
As soon as I saw my special, little purple person, I fell in love with her. Yes, she has an unusual face, along with elfin ears, glittery wings and an interesting outfit – perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, as I soon discovered! Some think she is weird, but to me, she epitomises so much – creativity plus, dedication and hard work, resourcefulness, a wonderful, whimsical imagination and plain, good old fun. At first, I could not decide on a name for her. Perhaps Esmeralda – or the more exotic Amethyst Aurelia? Eventually, after some discussion with our daughter on this weighty matter, we decided on Esmeralda (‘Essie’ for short) but also kept Amethyst Aurelia, as her possible future stage name – or perhaps simply as her own little escape from reality.
My special purchase caused quite a stir among family and friends and eventually one lovely friend, Debbie, decided to create a large, whimsical collage of Essie for my study wall, using the same colour theme and general idea. I was indeed touched by her efforts on my behalf and in awe of her ability to find the time to produce any sort of creative artwork. But I also sensed as I accepted her special gift how important it could be for her, in the midst of her super-busy life, to explore her own creativity and enjoy producing whatever ideas come to her mind too.
As I sit in my study now, with Essie perched on a nearby bookshelf, other beautiful artworks elsewhere, including several small paintings and a wonderful, framed piece of cross-stitch, and my collage on the wall behind me, I reflect on where all this creativity comes from. Out of my study window, I can see God’s amazing creations too – plants of varying shapes and sizes and shrubs with different shades and types of foliage. I can see the beautifully patterned trunks of tall gum trees and glimpse the sky too, grey today but often a pretty, pristine blue. I glance down at my hands on the keyboard then, such amazing creations in themselves in the way they function and perform so many complex tasks at the slightest instigation of our brains.
Surely our own creativity mirrors the heart of our amazing Creator God whose work, displayed each day in our own bodies and everywhere else in nature, speaks of such incredible, ongoing goodness, power, mercy and love. And, surely, our own hearts need to speak out our praise in return and do our best to display that same loving, creative heart to those around us.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
… When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:1a,3–4
Recently, while at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, we visited a fascinating bookstore, The Little Lost Bookshop, and noticed the following on a cushion there: ‘No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.’ As a writer, these words caught my attention. But they also caused me to remember how, in the past and recently, the words of world political leaders have indeed changed the world, inspiring whole nations to act in certain ways and espouse certain ideologies, for good or for ill.
Yet each day, although on a smaller scale, our words too have power to change others’ lives for good or ill. If spoken carelessly, they can cause great damage. When I was growing up, if someone called us a hurtful name, we often used to respond by chanting, ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me!’ True, names – or negative words in general – cannot kill or wound us physically like actual weapons can, yet they can certainly bring lasting mental and emotional damage and even destruction.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. James 3:5b–6a
On the other hand, the words that slip off our tongues can be powerful in a positive way. If inspired by God’s Spirit and spoken in love, they can change one person’s world at least and even flow on to bless others.
In Luke 7, we read how a centurion asks Jesus, via some Jewish elders, to come and heal his servant but later sends a different message:
Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go”, and he goes; and that one, “Come”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ Luke 7:6b–8
Jesus is amazed at this man’s faith – and speaks healing to the servant then and there at a distance. The messengers return home and, amazingly, find him better.
When Jesus speaks even one word, it carries such power and authority and changes lives. On one occasion, even the temple guards whom the chief priests and Pharisees had sent to arrest Jesus return empty-handed, declaring, ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does’ (John 7:46).
Those guards were right – no one even today can speak with the authority Jesus had. Yet, when we belong to God, God’s Spirit lives in us and can give us just the right words to say when needed. But this necessitates our staying close to God, listening well and allowing the Spirit to fill and renew us daily – because what is uppermost in our hearts and minds is what will inevitably surface in speaking to others, as Jesus himself once stated:
What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45b
May our hearts be filled with God this week – and may our world be changed for the better as we speak words of love and healing to others.
There we were, my nine-year-old granddaughter and I, with an interesting craft project spread out around us on the table – two cardboard shapes, extra pieces to press out and attach, googly eyes, sequins, plastic ‘gems’, little pompoms, pieces of coloured paper and a tiny tube of glue. I hoped we could create something at least vaguely resembling the cute little fairy featured on the front of the packet but was not overly filled with confidence at that point.
We decided to forge ahead anyway and work it out as we went. Soon that tiny tube of glue was empty, even before we had stuck half the required parts on, so we resorted to a normal glue stick, hoping that would work. We persevered as those googly, plastic eyes kept moving from their spot and refused to stay put at first. And we soon learnt how to wipe our fingertips carefully, before trying to attach those tiny, silver sequins and ‘gems’. It was a labour of love indeed – for both of us – but, in the end, our perseverance paid off and we were both delighted with the result. Now Maxine’s craft effort stands proudly beside her bed, looking so happy there.
But I was delighted with our whole craft project for two others reasons as well. Firstly, I loved the gentle way Maxine included me in every part of the task and clearly wanted to be fair in dividing up the little bits and pieces we had to work with. On top of that, she praised me sincerely for my efforts when I had difficulty attaching some of the tinier things with my big, clumsy fingers. Yes, all up, this creative effort of ours was indeed a lovely, humbling, shared experience for me, a memory I will treasure in the coming years – and I hope she does too. Learning to share and cooperate are vital skills for life – and Maxine has them in abundance.
Secondly, I think my favourite moment came fairly early on in our craft experience when we had added only three or four bits and pieces to the basic cardboard shapes. I doubt Maxine believed all we had been given would end up looking like that little fairy on the front of the packet either, but, as we added one important piece, suddenly her face lit up.
‘Oh look, Nanna – she’s coming to life!’ she declared in a satisfied tone.
And she was. Gradually, that little fairy was emerging before our eyes. What a joy to share this moment with Maxine as she saw her creative efforts paying off!
But this experience stirred deeper thoughts in me too. It reminded me how I felt when I first came to understand and receive God’s love more as a teenager – how life took on so much more meaning and purpose and how much more alive and secure I felt when I discovered I actually mattered to God. I remembered another occasion too in later years when God’s Spirit filled and refreshed me with deep joy and peace all over again. How blessed we are that our God is able to recreate and bring us truly alive, both now and for all eternity!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am in awe of John the Baptist. What a faithful, courageous, humble man he was! I admire him all round, but particularly for these three qualities, each one of which I know I need more of myself.
From the beginning, John is definitely prepared to speak out his message of repentance and forgiveness in no uncertain terms. He is focused, determined and bold with a capital ‘B’. While his stern words to the crowds may seem somewhat rude and unnecessary to us – even perhaps asking for trouble – there was no doubt good reason for them. John sees through the people’s pretence into what is really going in their hearts and minds. As a result, many seem to be convicted to change their way of life.
John said to the crowds coming out to be baptised by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe has been laid to the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’
‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. Luke 3:7–10
John then responds with even more boldness, instructing them to share their food and clothing with those who have none. Later, he also exhorts the tax collectors to collect only what they are supposed to collect and the soldiers to be content with their pay and not extort or accuse others falsely. Tough words indeed to tough people in that time.
Yet John does not big-note himself or revel in his God-given power. Instead, when the people begin to wonder if he might be the Christ they had long been waiting for, he makes it abundantly clear he is not:
John answered them all, ‘I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’ Luke 3:16–17
What wonderful humility John displays in these words – and faithfulness. Come what may, he sticks to his calling to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus the Messiah and takes no glory for himself. And where does all this get him? Herod imprisons him when John dares to call him out for his evil way of life, then eventually has him beheaded (Matthew 14:1–11).
Of course, we do not have the same calling on our lives that John the Baptist did – thankfully! But we too are called to be faithful and courageous in pointing people towards Jesus the Messiah, however we can, in both word and deed. And we are to do this with the same humility John had, serving the One far greater than us who will one day come again in great power and authority.
Yes, John the Baptist has so much to teach us, don’t you agree?
How do you honestly feel as you face the new year ahead? Right now, for some at least, everything is swinging into top gear again as school begins and as church programs get under way. For others, perhaps it is more of the ‘same old same old’, with nothing much changing. For some, this may be a time full of anticipation and excitement at the thought of new experiences and fresh challenges waiting to be conquered. For others, the year ahead may seem far too daunting – or, alternately, perhaps too dreary a prospect to contemplate for long.
This year began with a bang for me, with the release of my third non-fiction book, Swansong (click here for more details). But, after the initial excitement of launching a book, hard work of a different kind begins – not writing and editing this time but speaking at various places and promoting my book in whatever way I can. I knew this would be the case – this is my tenth book, after all – and I am happy to tackle most aspects at least of the whole marketing side of things. I enjoy meeting people as I promote my books at Koorong, for example, and I particularly love speaking at all sorts of places – community clubs of various kinds, church groups, whatever. Yet, even when one likes doing something, there are still hours of preparation involved, not to mention hours of emailing and talking to people, in order to set up speaking engagements or organise some other event.
On days when I am a little more tired than usual, this can all seem like a very high mountain to climb – so perhaps that is why I resonated with some words Simon said on one occasion, in response to a request Jesus put to him, when I came across them one morning. In Luke 5, we read how Jesus boards Simon’s fishing boat and asks him to push out from the shore a little, in order for him to be able to teach the crowds better who have gathered around Lake Galilee to hear him. The story continues:
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’
Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ Luke 5:4–5
Immediately, Simon’s last few words caused me to sit up straight and listen carefully to what God wanted me to learn. Simon must have felt so weary already and discouraged as well – to the point where he is unafraid to tell Jesus how hard he has worked already, for no result. Yet he does not refuse to do what Jesus tells him to do. Even at this early stage, before Simon leaves everything and follows Jesus (5:7), he bows to Jesus’ authority and does exactly what Jesus says.
There is so much hidden in those few little words ‘because you say so’, isn’t there? Respect. Honour. Trust. Obedience. Humility. Hope. May all these characterise our own attitudes to Jesus in the coming year. May we too willingly ‘let down our nets’ again, whatever shape or form they may take and however Jesus tells us to, as we trust him for the outcome.
‘Congratulations, Jo-Anne!’ a friend said as they greeted me one recent Sunday at church. ‘You must be so excited that your book has finally been released!’
Her comment warmed my heart – and, with relief, I realised I could indeed feel some excitement at least bubbling up inside me. You see, only two days earlier, my latest non-fiction book, Swansong: Start creating your legacy of life-giving words, had been released by Authentic Media UK, an event I had been looking forward to for almost a year since signing a contract with them Yet, those months of waiting had held unexpected challenges on various fronts, leaving me rather depleted in energy and strangely unable to muster much enthusiasm at all on the release of my tenth book.
But God had things in hand. The previous Sunday, as I had moved to serve on our church’s prayer team, another team member turned to me.
‘I think God wants me to pray for you today, Jo-Anne. Is there something you need prayer for?’
Immediately, I told her about my upcoming book release and how much I needed more energy to complete all the various promotional tasks awaiting me at this stage. This lovely lady then prayed earnestly for me – and I was so touched. That afternoon, I managed to organise the invitations for just a small, intimate-sized book launch this time around and, as the week unfolded, I was able to deal with even more book tasks needing to be done. In the days that followed, I let this lady know how God had answered her prayer – and I thanked God myself too for strengthening me and sustaining me.
On the actual release day, after sharing my book news online via email and other ways (please click here for further information), friends and acquaintances began contacting me, congratulating me on having yet another book published. One after another, those messages kept flooding in – and, despite my tiredness, I was so touched. These people, I realised, truly wanted to share in the joy of this moment with me and, as I let that fact sink in, joy gradually rose up inside me too, along with so much gratitude to God, not only for these ones who had sincerely reached out and connected heart-to-heart with me but also for my writing journey as a whole.
In Romans 12:15, we find a simple, clear instruction from the Apostle Paul:
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’
In the past, I think I have more easily understood the need to do the latter but have ignored the former a little. I know how important it is to walk beside someone who is grieving, to reach out, share their pain and try to comfort them. Yet, since my book was released, I have also realised what a loving, healing experience it can be when others step out and rejoice with us over some happy event in our lives or some milestone we have reached. These people are not acting in a self-centred or uncaring or jealous way. Instead, they are sincerely glad something wonderful has happened for me – and their caring words have encouraged and affirmed me so much. May we all learn to reach out in love and share more readily in the joy of others as if their successes were indeed our own.
Last Friday, my third non-fiction book, Swansong, subtitled Start creating your legacy of life-giving words today, was released by Authentic Media UK. This was a surreal moment for me. When I started writing in 2004, I would never have envisaged that, twenty years on, I would have seven novels and three non-fiction books published. In fact, I was sure I would never write any non-fiction. Yet, as things unfolded, it seemed God had other ideas – including this latest book of mine.
In a nutshell, Swansong is a gentle challenge to consider carefully how God’s words and the words of others have impacted us and how the words we in turn speak and write can best honour God and build others up. The little video below gives a further brief glimpse into the theme of the book:
Copies of Swansong are available from my website, Koorong and Amazon (print and e-book).
Two years ago, I began to wonder if God wanted me to write something about the power of our words and the potential they have to be truly life-giving to others. I played around with various titles for such a book and wondered how I could organise the chapter ideas that were beginning to percolate in my mind, but still found myself quite confused as to how to move forward with it all.
Then one Saturday in March of that year, at the beginning of a Retreat Day at our church, we were encouraged to write down what we hoped God would show us or teach us as we spent time in prayer and reflection that day. I remember I described how confused I felt as to how to proceed with my book and how I hoped God would show me clearly what shape it should take. A few moments later, to my amazement, the word ‘swansong’ came clearly to mind as a title for the book, along with a possible sub-title – ‘leaving a legacy of life-giving words’ – which the publisher later suggested changing to ‘start creating a legacy of life-giving words today’. As a result of this experience, I truly believe God’s hand has been on all aspects of this book from the beginning – and indeed on my whole subsequent journey to publication with the wonderful team at Authentic Media UK.
As I launch Swansong, my heart is full of thankfulness for the way God has enabled me to bring this book into being, despite various challenges along the way. My sincere hope and prayer for any of you who may read it is that you will sense God’s Spirit drawing you closer, revealing more of Jesus to you, the very Word made flesh (John 1) and that you will hear Jesus’ own gentle voice speaking encouraging words deep into your heart. May you be strengthened to speak and write all the words of empathy, mercy, wisdom, forgiveness, comfort and so much more that God has uniquely equipped you to express. May your heart’s desire be the same as David’s when he wrote:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
And when you reach the time of your own swansong, may God enable you to be at peace, knowing you have done your best to leave a legacy of life-giving words that will continue ministering to others.
I wonder if you have ever kept a journal of some description. I have done so for years but, these days, I tend to wait until something I experience or read either in Scripture or elsewhere truly impacts me, before putting pen to paper. Yet however many or few entries I have made, it is always enlightening to stop and reflect on them all as the new year begins.
My first observation on reading through my 2023 entries is that I worried far too much about so many issues – those other people were facing and some in my own life. Yet what did all this worrying do, especially where others were concerned? I could not control their actions or responses – they had to make their own choices. But I could pray for them and certainly did, just as I prayed about the issues in my own life – and God did indeed answer, often unfolding things in ways I would never have imagined.
My second observation is that, linked with all this worry, there was far too much fear in me about how things would work out for all concerned, including for me. Yet, I also noticed with some relief the many times I turned to Scripture for the comfort and strength I needed – and God did indeed speak strongly to me through it in different ways. Even now, as I look back on the various verses that particularly ministered to me, I am filled with gratitude and strengthened all over again as I read them:
The account of the Lord appearing to Abraham and Sarah with news that Sarah would have a child (Genesis 18:1–15), especially verse 14a: ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’
The closing words of a psalm of David, written in the middle of battle:
With God we shall gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. Psalm 60:12
The account of how Jesus calms the storm on the lake and reassures his disciples (Matthew 8:23–27), especially verse 26a: ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’
Various parts of Matthew 9 where Jesus shows his supreme authority through the amazing healings he performs and through his wise words.
My third observation is that, through all the ups and downs of the past year, God steadfastly enabled me to keep going with my writing and speaking and continually reached out to me with such understanding and encouragement. I am sure that, without God, I would not have been able to work my way through the whole editing and publication process of my latest non-fiction book Swansong, due for release very shortly, with my new publisher, Authentic Media UK. As well, God enabled me to complete and submit yet another manuscript to this same publisher and to experience the joy of seeing it too accepted for publication, hopefully later this year. To me, this has been a miracle – I truly feel I have received such favour and mercy from God’s hand.
May God’s favour and blessing continue to rest upon us all as we step into 2024 and seek to love and serve God however we can.
May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
I wonder what your thoughts and feelings are as you look back on the past year. Recently, someone shared with me that most people they spoke to seemed to have had a difficult 2023 in all sorts of ways. Yet, whatever this past year has brought us, here we still are. For all of us, 2024 lies before us, filled with all sorts of possibilities we are yet to discover. What joys will the months ahead hold for us? What challenges perhaps too? Only God knows.
For me, the one thing I do know about the future from past experience is that I want to live it the way God wants me to. I want to do the things God still has for me to do on this earth – and I want to face whatever hurdles I may happen to strike in God’s strength and with God’s help. To do that, I know I need to stay close to God at all times, taking note of those wise words of guidance I find in Scripture and hear as I listen to the Spirit’s voice. In other words, I want to step into 2024, facing the future in the right way, with hope and joy in my heart, whatever is happening around me.
Perhaps that is why I noticed an interesting phenomenon in the garden area around our unit recently. Directly outside our windows, I can see various pretty shrubs and flowers that have been added to as our lovely neighbours have planted a few extra things they like. Slowly, two slightly taller plants began to grow there. At first, I wondered if they were in fact weeds, until I discovered our neighbour had strewn some sunflower seeds around in various spots. Sadly, though, the spot where these two sunflowers are trying to grow does not see much sun, situated as it is between two buildings. Just around the corner from this garden, however, in a different spot, another of these same seeds took off and is now flourishing. I thought it was huge enough and cheered it on as it grew – it looks as if it will flower very soon. But then I rounded the next corner of our garden area and came across its older brother or sister, almost as tall as some nearby trees – and already sporting the beginnings of a huge sunflower. Its seed had indeed found the right spot, exactly where it flourished best and was able to face the sun easily.
Noticing all of this so close by caused me to ask God what I needed to learn as a result. Surely it must be that you and I need to find the spot where God wants us to flourish in 2024 – the best way we can use our gifts to bless others, serving both them and God? Surely too, it must be that you and I need to keep our faces turned towards the Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, throughout 2024, loving him with all our hearts, listening to his voice and following where he leads?
May we do exactly that in 2024.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT
It can be so uplifting, can’t it, when others value us and what we offer? It can make us stand taller and straighter, feel stronger and more whole and even help us see the world around us in a much more positive light.
Recently, our son bought a selection of the books I have written as Christmas gifts for the teachers in his school staffroom. I was surprised at his request but happy to oblige. Yet it was more than that, I realised, as I helped him choose which book might best suit each teacher. I felt touched and honoured that he valued me not only as a mum but also as a writer – that he thought enough of my books to give them as gifts to his colleagues whom he has not even known for long and wanted them to see my name on the front of each book, which of course is also his surname.
Perhaps this balances out a little our eleven-year-old grandson’s perspective of his nanna, whom he often delights to tease by calling me ‘just as old lady’! I have pointed out to him more than once that, while I may not know much about the amazing computer-oriented things he knows, I have other strengths. I also have a couple of university degrees, as well as a couple of diplomas, but they, of course, mean little to him at this stage – and neither do the ten books I have written. Yet underneath it all, I know he loves and values me, if the warm hugs he gives me at times are anything to go by. And I hope and pray he will continue to value me, the older he becomes.
Some may argue that Christians should show more humility than this and that we are not to look to others to boost our self-esteem or feed our vanity. Recently, I heard of an instance where someone was asked to name something they feel they do well. They refused to because they seemed to think that would be showing too much pride in themselves and their achievements. Yet surely it is wise to know what we do well so we can live and serve in a way that brings joy to ourselves and others, as well as glory to God? And surely we can do this without becoming too puffed up with pride as we remember who gave us the gifts we have?
Surely too, we can seek to mirror to others something at least of the value our heavenly Father places on each one of us. Psalm 139 states that God knows us intimately and is always there, watching over us. Then on one occasion, Jesus reassured his disciples with the following words:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29–31
Above all, however, we see just how much more God values us above those sparrows when we remember how Jesus came to earth for our sakes and paid the ultimate price to save us.
We are indeed loved and valued. May we in turn love and value others too.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 