A Suitcase of Stories, Dreams and Prayers (August)

James Cathcart August 01, 2021 0

August 2021 (1-28 August). See the Resource Pack PDF for information on the weekly subthemes and the daily prompts and Bible readings which shape our Daily Worship. See the Discussion Group Questions PDF to see the material adapted for small Connect groups or personal Bible study.

To live is to unpack a suitcase of

eternal stories, dreams and prayers…

Our lives can be compared to a traveling suitcase moving through time. One full of stories, dreams and prayers. ‘Time’ has been described as stories we tell each other in order that we give our lives meaning. Phrases, snippets of conversations overheard, that give our understanding fresh insight, they all find their way into the suitcase along with dreams to be explored that speak of purpose for the future and prayers to be prayed to hold us in time and root us into eternity.

Amidst all the mystery of time from the first cosmic dawn 13.5 billion years ago when God spoke and said ‘Let there be light’ to this moment in time — we have a suitcase full of experience to unpack and share with others. In 2nd Timothy 3:16 Paul reminds Timothy that, ”All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Scripture helps us see ourselves in our stories of faith and hope. As we unpack these stories, phrases, dreams and struggles, may we do so in order to learn and grow as individuals, to help us start to build bridges across time into eternity which is our ultimate destination.

During the next four weeks we continue to follow the lectionary using each week’s readings to focus on a story, a throw away phrase, a dream, or a prayer in order to help us understand how God speaks to us and guides us in our lives.

One man’s story may well open up a door into a greater understanding of ourselves and others.
Our dreams may well be God using our subconscious mind to reflect on the importance of a decision.
There are often more truths expressed in a throwaway line than in a theological treatise.
Prayer often opens us up to new horizons and the wideness of God’s mercy and compassion.

We each have a cosmic suitcase that fills with our own stories, dreams, throwaway lines and prayers as we travel through time learning what it means to be God’s — on into eternity!

Let’s get packing!

Each week of the four week theme runs Sunday-Saturday and has its own subtheme, which contains daily Bible readings and thought triggers (see the Resource Pack PDF for more information). See the Discussion Group Questions PDF to see the material adapted for personal Bible study or small Connect groups.