WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:09.919 Having graduated from college in Michigan in the early 1990s, Tim very quickly started 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:13.720 to climb the career ladder. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:23.080 Several years passed, and one day he found himself feeling very poorly in hospital. 00:00:23.079 --> 00:00:30.079 Remembering one of his former professors, who he always related to, who had subsequently 00:00:30.079 --> 00:00:36.099 gone on to become a pastor of a church, Tim phoned him on the off chance and told him 00:00:36.099 --> 00:00:37.159 that he was in hospital. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:44.739 His former professor, now the pastor, said, it just so happens that I'm going to be in 00:00:44.739 --> 00:00:45.939 your area later on. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:47.239 I'll pop in and see you. 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:53.359 And so they struck up the friendship once again. 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:03.020 After a couple of years, though, it had become apparent that the reason why he needed to 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:07.760 be admitted to hospital that day was rather more serious than everybody had initially 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:08.180 thought. 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:17.720 And so this man, who had been so successful, found that his life was ebbing away. 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:26.880 Sometime later, he was in the same hospital, and this same pastor, his former tutor, came 00:01:26.880 --> 00:01:28.860 to visit him again. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:37.920 As he entered the room, the pastor could see that Tim's life was clearly coming towards 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:38.480 its end. 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:43.599 He sat down, and there was silence. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:47.819 Let me read to you the story from here. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:52.960 Tim eventually said, 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:55.679 I've learned something. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:00.659 The pastor knew this much, at least. 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:05.199 You don't trifle with the words of a person who was about to die. 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:08.000 You just listen carefully. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:10.120 So he said, 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:12.419 Tell me, what have you learned? 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:15.199 Tim said, 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:17.840 I've learned that life is not like a video recorder. 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:23.379 The pastor didn't get it any more than you're not getting it now. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:25.620 What do you mean? 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:26.140 He said. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:29.020 Tim said, 00:02:29.140 --> 00:02:31.099 It's not like a video recorder. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:35.840 You can't fast forward through the bad parts. 00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:38.759 Long pause. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:41.719 The pastor's thinking to himself, 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:43.159 Where does he get this stuff? 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:48.419 Then Tim interrupts the silence again to say, 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:53.079 You can't fast forward through the bad parts. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:58.419 But I've learned that Jesus Christ is in every frame. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:01.519 And right now that is just enough. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:10.900 Ever been in that situation where you just wish you could hit that button that says fast forward? 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:14.260 Maybe you're in a situation, 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.480 Maybe it's a situation of sickness or illness. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.379 Maybe it's a place of debilitating anxiety. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:22.640 Maybe it's a stuff you know it's going to be a bad day. 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:24.640 Or it's going to be a challenging day. 00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:26.280 Or week, or month. 00:03:26.580 --> 00:03:27.520 And you just think, 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:29.719 If only I could just close my eyes, 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:31.259 Hibernate, wake up, 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:33.080 And just know that this bit has passed. 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:36.860 But we can't. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:39.640 There's no fast forward. 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:44.080 But Jesus is there in every frame. 00:03:47.260 --> 00:03:53.120 And this whole series is thinking about what that means in real, actual, practical terms, 00:03:53.700 --> 00:03:58.219 To talk meaningfully of the presence of God in our everyday lives. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:01.540 Today we're thinking particularly about what that means, 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:07.120 To put into practice this discipline of practicing the presence of God. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:10.180 But before we get on to that in more detail, 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:11.560 Let's be really clear. 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.200 God is present. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:16.360 Even when we're not aware of it. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.060 And that magnificent psalm that we've just heard from, 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:21.540 Psalm 139, 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:24.079 Really presses this point home. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:28.300 There are times when we may not feel the presence of God, 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:29.319 But God is there. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:32.160 He fills the whole cosmos with his being. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:34.000 He's around you. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:34.860 He's within you. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:35.860 He's there before you. 00:04:35.900 --> 00:04:36.660 He's behind you. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:37.660 Above you, below you. 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:38.939 He never goes away. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.560 There is nowhere where you can be where God is not. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:44.199 That's the point that the psalmist is making. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:47.139 First and last and everything in between. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:51.279 But of course, it doesn't always feel like it, does it? 00:04:52.419 --> 00:04:53.779 And there are times when, 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:58.199 Because we're not aware of that presence of Jesus in every frame, 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:00.319 We just want to hit that fast forward button. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:03.959 There's an old story. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:05.740 You've probably heard me tell this one before. 00:05:06.159 --> 00:05:09.039 It's a story about an ancient tribe 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:11.759 That had a way of establishing 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:14.199 When a boy became a man, 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:15.120 When he came of age. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:16.139 It was quite simple. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:19.339 He had to go out and spend the night on his own in the wilderness. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.620 If he tried to turn around and make his way back to the camp, 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:25.899 Then he was not considered brave enough to be considered an adult. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:29.639 Well, the story goes about this one particular individual 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.939 Whose turn it was to do this. 00:05:30.979 --> 00:05:31.620 He was terrified. 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:34.939 As the custom dictated, 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:38.199 Him and his father spent a day walking into the wilderness 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.800 Where he was going to have to spend the night on his own. 00:05:41.800 --> 00:05:45.079 As dusk set in, 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:48.460 So the father helped his son build this fire. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:49.799 And he said to him, 00:05:49.859 --> 00:05:51.599 Look, you will be scared, 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:54.219 But just stay by the fire. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:55.939 And you'll be alright. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.120 And he walked away. 00:05:59.419 --> 00:06:00.680 And the darkness came. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.659 And it was the longest night that that 00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:06.259 Boy-stroke man had ever known. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:09.420 Every time he heard a sound, 00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:10.199 He was terrified. 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:13.039 But he just remembered the words of his father 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:14.920 And drew closer to the fire. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:20.099 Eventually, sun started to rise. 00:06:21.539 --> 00:06:22.459 And to the boy's terror, 00:06:22.539 --> 00:06:23.120 He could see, 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:24.879 About a hundred yards away, 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.539 Standing motionless, 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:30.340 The figure of a man clutching a spear. 00:06:32.140 --> 00:06:35.680 He just wished he could hit that fast forward button. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:40.000 But remembering the words of his father, 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:42.040 He stayed put by the fire. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:46.100 As the sun eventually came up fully, 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.120 He realised that that figure standing right there 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:53.160 Was his father who had been there all night long, 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.259 Watching over him 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.420 In every frame. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:07:01.420 But he just simply didn't know about it. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:07.400 So what are we to do then? 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:10.660 We can't hit the fast forward button. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.680 What might we do, 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:15.660 In practical terms, 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:17.640 To be reminded, 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.780 To more than be reminded of, 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.680 But to know the presence of God. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.560 To know that he's there in every frame, 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:28.379 When actually we just wish we could just fast forward. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.579 Well, this is where we bring on, 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:34.360 Practising the presence of God. 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.319 Brother Lawrence, 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:37.939 Or as he was born, 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:38.860 Nicholas Herman, 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:41.180 Who lived in the 1600s. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.240 He was a soldier from the age of 16, 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:46.600 And eventually entered a Carmelite order, 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:47.600 In France. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:51.580 But when he became a monk, 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:54.439 He was assigned the most mundane duties, 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:56.240 Every single day, 00:07:56.340 --> 00:07:57.020 In the kitchen, 00:07:57.460 --> 00:07:59.520 And also repairing sandals. 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:01.760 And, 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:04.220 Very quickly, 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:06.879 He realised just how mundane this was. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:09.759 Drawn to the monastery, 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.600 In search of a life of prayer, 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.060 And vibrant spirituality, 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.139 He found himself confronted, 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:17.839 With most of his time, 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.339 Being taken up by doing these things. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.100 You know, 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.100 It would be understandable, 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.319 If in that situation, 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:28.779 You wanted to press that fast forward button, 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.579 And get to the prayer times. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:33.439 But gradually, 00:08:34.079 --> 00:08:36.139 Brother Lawrence came to the realisation, 00:08:37.199 --> 00:08:38.340 That is actually, 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:40.840 Within those moments, 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:42.899 Of mundane activity, 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:43.919 Of repetition, 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:46.879 That God is to be found, 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:48.899 As much as those moments, 00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:51.079 Of focusing specifically, 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:51.879 In prayer, 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:53.019 In a place of worship. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:55.039 Whether that's contemplation, 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:56.500 Whether it's reading the Bible, 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:58.059 Whatever it may be. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:01.059 And so he became, 00:09:01.199 --> 00:09:01.759 To see, 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.419 Those, 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:02.759 Those, 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.059 Those, 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:03.639 Those, 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.479 Those chunks of time, 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:06.579 Which was actually, 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:07.779 Most of the time, 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.419 Where he was going about, 00:09:09.579 --> 00:09:10.419 His daily business, 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:11.899 Doing daily things, 00:09:12.359 --> 00:09:13.959 Not as repetitive moments, 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:14.759 Of boredom, 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:15.939 Or frustration, 00:09:16.119 --> 00:09:16.939 Where he wanted to hit, 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:17.979 The fast forward button, 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.839 But precisely in those moments, 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:20.979 Where he could lay hold, 00:09:21.099 --> 00:09:21.919 In a real way, 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:23.000 Of the reality, 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.159 The truth, 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:26.039 That Jesus is in every frame. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:29.259 If that sounds complicated, 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.139 It's not. 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:32.379 It's simple, 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.439 But simple of course, 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:34.619 Is not always easy. 00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.339 So it was, 00:09:37.459 --> 00:09:38.159 That eventually, 00:09:38.359 --> 00:09:38.859 In these conversations, 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:39.759 And he was no academic, 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:40.599 He just, 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:41.599 It was in conversations, 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:42.339 And in letters, 00:09:42.619 --> 00:09:43.299 That eventually, 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.519 These thoughts, 00:09:44.579 --> 00:09:45.339 Got put together, 00:09:45.459 --> 00:09:45.799 In the book, 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:47.079 Practicing the presence of God, 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:48.799 Practicing the presence of God, 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:50.599 Which came in Christian literature, 00:09:50.599 --> 00:09:51.859 To be known as a classic, 00:09:51.979 --> 00:09:52.599 Of spirituality. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:55.420 And the reason why that is so, 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:56.100 Is because, 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.440 Its power lies in its very simplicity, 00:09:58.920 --> 00:10:00.120 Anyone can do this. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:03.259 In our everyday lives, 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:04.360 It is about knowing, 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:05.340 That God is there. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:07.080 Every time you turn on a tap, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.080 You put your toothbrush, 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:09.980 In contact with your teeth, 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.800 Or when you make a cup of tea, 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:13.659 Or when you're tying your shoelaces, 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.019 Or when you're sitting down, 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.940 Or when you're getting up, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.740 And when you're breathing, 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.620 So think of the most ordinary, 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.120 Ordinary stuff, 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.600 You possibly can imagine. 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.860 It's in that, 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.139 That we pay attention, 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.480 To the presence of God, 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.639 In that situation. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:30.899 You know, 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:32.500 It is highly imaginative, 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.680 But it's not imaginary. 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:35.279 And this is where we need, 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.860 To be acutely aware, 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.360 That it's not imagining, 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.420 The presence of God. 00:10:39.540 --> 00:10:40.940 It's not making it up. 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:43.300 It's practicing it. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.300 So where do we do, 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:53.500 Where do we go about that? 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.279 How do we go about it? 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:58.420 Particularly when life is so busy. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:04.460 Somebody called Frank Laubach, 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.220 Was a missionary, 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.420 In the Philippines. 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:09.200 And he, 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:12.200 Discovered this spiritual practice, 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:13.980 Practicing the presence of God. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:16.500 When he went to become a missionary, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:16.519 When he went to become a missionary, 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.500 For the first time. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.340 And when he arrived, 00:11:19.800 --> 00:11:20.879 He had to learn language, 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.320 And he had to make friends. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:23.720 And he found himself, 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.639 With a lot of space in his diary. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:29.279 So for the first few months or so, 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.139 As a missionary, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:34.019 He found that he had far more, 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:36.659 Opportunity to focus on, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.980 On this spiritual practice, 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:40.700 Practicing the presence of God. 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:44.300 But as he began to make contacts, 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:45.900 And began to establish his work, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.520 He found that his schedule, 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.200 Became more and more, 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.280 And more busy. 00:11:51.540 --> 00:11:52.759 Here's what he wrote. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.420 Either this new situation, 00:11:59.080 --> 00:11:59.940 Of busyness, 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:02.200 Will crowd God out, 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:06.140 Or I must take him into it all. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.040 I must learn a continuous, 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.960 Silent conversation, 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.540 Of heart to heart with God, 00:12:13.780 --> 00:12:16.400 While looking into others' eyes, 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:18.759 And listening to other voices. 00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:21.980 If I decide to do this, 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.700 It is far more difficult, 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.540 Than the thing I was doing before. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:26.980 Yet if this experiment, 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.400 Is to have any value, 00:12:29.560 --> 00:12:30.480 For busy people, 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:33.019 It must be worked out, 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:35.399 Under exactly these conditions, 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.259 Of high pressure, 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:38.519 And the throngs of people. 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:42.420 We can't fast forward, 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.820 Through the difficult bits. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.100 But Jesus is in every frame. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.580 You know, 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.580 It might be tempting to think, 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:54.279 But is this not just all about, 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.320 Human activity? 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.539 Isn't it not, 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:58.019 More meant to be about, 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.100 Just the presence of God, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.779 That is there, 00:12:59.920 --> 00:13:01.560 Independent of what we're doing? 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.500 Well yes and no. 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:04.860 Yes, 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.519 In that God is present, 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.899 Regardless of what, 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:09.080 Whatever we're up to. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:10.700 But no, 00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:11.580 In the sense that, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.420 It is fundamentally part, 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.960 Of our Christian discipleship, 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.600 That we play our part. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.920 Being a disciple of Jesus, 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:19.220 Is not just about, 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:20.920 A passive existence. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:22.920 It's actively engaging, 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.680 In the presence of God. 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:27.099 Paul writes in Galatians chapter 5, 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:29.019 If we live by the spirit, 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:31.379 Let us also keep in step, 00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:32.259 With the spirit. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.219 We have a part to play. 00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:37.599 God's presence is real, 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:38.959 It's not manufactured, 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:41.839 But we have a part to play, 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.019 In engaging with that. 00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:46.159 The following illustration, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:46.679 Might help. 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:49.819 There was a patrol of GIs, 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.299 And they had the job, 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.620 Of tethering a surveillance balloon. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.279 There was quite a lot of them, 00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:57.159 They had a length of rope each. 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:59.199 But there was a sudden gust of wind, 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:01.799 And this balloon began, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.459 It was seized by the wind, 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.659 And it began to take off. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.000 Well, 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.219 Some of the GIs, 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.000 Probably quite sensibly, 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:10.179 Let go of the rope. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.199 But others didn't. 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:11.939 They felt that, 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:13.179 If they held on tight enough, 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.059 Their collective weight, 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.319 Could keep this thing put. 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:18.819 That was a fundamental miscalculation. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.519 Very quickly, 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.860 This thing left the ground, 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.579 And they were flying through the air. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.500 Eventually, 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.779 All but one had to let go. 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.059 Many of them were injured. 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.139 A couple of them were killed. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:38.340 Except for one survivor, 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.399 Who hung on. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.720 When he was eventually rescued, 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.299 It became clear, 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.519 That he had done one thing, 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:48.439 That the others hadn't. 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:51.380 Rather than simply clinging on, 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.460 With his own strength, 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:54.140 Very quickly, 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.720 Somehow he had the presence of mind, 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:57.440 To wrap the rope, 00:14:57.520 --> 00:14:58.500 Around his waist. 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.400 He said this, 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:05.260 I tied the rope, 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.180 Around my body, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:09.060 And allowed the balloon, 00:15:09.900 --> 00:15:11.180 To hold on, 00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:12.300 To me. 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:16.699 The presence of God, 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.679 Is something that we don't manufacture, 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.399 It is there, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:21.099 But the role of the Holy Spirit, 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.859 Is to hold us. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:27.279 But there's a response, 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:29.399 That needs to be made from us, 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:32.479 If we are to be conscious, 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:33.779 Of that presence. 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.620 Let me leave you, 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:38.519 With this last image. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:42.779 Well, 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.299 You'd imagine, 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.600 That you're sat, 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.779 In a prison cell, 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.179 It's dark, 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:51.139 The very large, 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.299 Thick door, 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.179 Is firmly locked. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.579 God approaches, 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:01.259 That door from the outside, 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.620 Inserts the key, 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:06.159 And flings wide open, 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.720 That door. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:09.519 The cell in which, 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.379 You are otherwise incarcerated, 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.759 Suddenly floods with light, 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.700 And you are called, 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:16.680 To walk to freedom. 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.899 God's done all of this, 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.420 Not you. 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.779 Unless God from the outside, 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:26.019 Had intervened, 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.399 Had opened up the door, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.460 And flooded it with light, 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:29.440 You'd be there forever. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:31.600 It's down to him, 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.600 First and last. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.240 His presence, 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.519 And his presence alone, 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.319 That exists independently, 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:38.039 Of you, 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.220 Or anything you think, 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:39.720 Or say, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.259 Or do. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.279 It's down to him. 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.460 But you ain't gonna leave that place, 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:50.620 Unless you choose to move, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.819 And walk through the door. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:57.080 And that's a fundamental principle, 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.240 Of discipleship, 00:16:58.300 --> 00:17:00.080 Which we do well to remember, 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.060 Every day of our lives, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.059 That it's God who acts, 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.759 But we are called to follow, 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.900 It's always in God's strength, 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:10.259 And it is only ever, 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.380 By the presence of God, 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.600 That anything happens, 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:17.000 But he calls us to move, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.519 We may well be the recipients, 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.920 But we're not, 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.640 Passive recipients, 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:28.299 We cannot fast forward, 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.200 Through life, 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:31.220 But Jesus is there, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.019 Present, 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:34.099 In every single frame, 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:38.339 And as we come to pray together now, 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:40.200 Let's hold our lives before him, 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:42.400 And let's ask him, 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.519 To remind us of that presence, 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:46.799 And to enable us, 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.779 To be more empowered, 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.000 By that presence, 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.619 Not just here, 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.740 As we're gathered to worship, 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.720 And to pray now, 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.720 But more fundamentally, 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.960 In the coming week, 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.639 Whatever that looks like for us, 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.700 In our everyday lives, 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.579 Let's pray, 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.000 Lord God, 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:11.799 Sometimes we long, 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:14.500 For life to be put on fast forward, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:18.519 Perhaps sometimes we wish, 00:18:18.619 --> 00:18:20.000 We could just close our eyes, 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.599 For a day or a week, 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.059 Or whatever that may be, 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:26.000 And wake up and it's just gone past, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.720 But we can't do that, 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.200 Thank you, 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.660 That you are present with us, 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.940 Help us, 00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.700 To know that, 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.819 And to see that, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:43.980 Give us the courage, 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.960 And the confidence, 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.399 To look beyond the cell, 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:51.379 To your light, 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.819 And to dare to move, 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.480 And to walk through that door, 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.519 To freedom, 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:59.179 Help us, 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.799 In our daily lives, 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.299 To pay attention, 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.619 To your presence, 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.679 In and through, 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:07.600 To the ordinary, 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:11.240 The mundane, 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:13.860 And the repetitive, 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:20.339 Lord, 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.779 Wherever we may be, 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:22.779 Tomorrow, 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:24.139 Afternoon, 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:24.859 Morning, 00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:25.740 Evening, 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:26.539 Tuesday, 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.139 Wednesday, 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:27.819 Thursday, 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:29.679 Whatever we may be doing, 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:31.139 Whether that be at home, 00:19:32.719 --> 00:19:34.599 Whether that be at work, 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:38.839 Whether that be in the car, 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:42.559 Whether that be on the bus, 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.579 In the shops, 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:45.199 Wherever we may be, 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:49.119 Help us, 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.699 To practice your presence, 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:55.539 To know that you are with us, 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:58.220 And that you never leave us, 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.839 In Jesus' name, 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.299 Amen.