Opinion
The words that run through your centre
Ruth Lilley has been to the seaside, and reflects on the words that ran through the middle of her stick of rock.
Recently I visited Great Yarmouth. As the evening turned a bit chilly, we decided to purchase a hot chocolate. Whilst waiting for our drinks, the big rock lollipops caught my eye. It took me back to my childhood and the many sticks of rock purchased and enjoyed - the ones with the name of the place running through the centre.
It caused me to wander what words I have running through me? I know what I would like the words to be, but have I consistently got those same words running through my centre? If I am honest, then maybe I do not.
In the book of Galatians, we read of the fruit that can be evident in our lives when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, and it is these qualities that I would like to be running through me.
‘…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22-23: New Living Translation).
The process of adding the lettering to the rock is an intricate process and requires careful positioning of the stripes of rock to form each of the letters. Initially this is done on a large scale and then a rolling machine is used to mould and stretch the rock into long strings which are then cut to the correct size.
I believe that if I would like these qualities to be running through my centre, then it is also going to be a process rather than something that just happens to be there. It will require me to be careful and intentional. The lettering in the rock is placed there by its maker. Therefore, I will need to spend time with my Maker if I hope for these qualities to shine out from my centre. I must allow His hands to mould and stretch me into the person He knows I can be.
Also, to look to Jesus and receive His outrageous love and perfect peace. To stand on the knowledge of His grace which freely gives this love and peace which then enables us to feel joy in all circumstances. With Jesus also running through my centre, I can commit to the other qualities and open myself to the help of the Holy Spirit.
I imagine that sometimes the lettering in the rock is a bit wonky or inconsistent, and I know this is what can happen with me! I might allow a situation or a feeling to trip me up and I will lose focus on those qualities. However, just as the rock is covered in a protective wrapper, so too am I - my God is my shield, and I can trust in Him. This truth enables me to get back up and refocus on establishing those words running through my centre.
The image above is © Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Ruth Lilley teaches at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.