ARE YOU READY?
Are you ready for what lies ahead?
Social media, magazines and newspapers are awash with suggestions and advice about how you might best deal with the ‘unprecedented’ situation, how you can best survive the next six months, how you can find the key to health and happiness now in spite of what is happening all around us.
‘The Times’ recently recommended cooking outside on a winter barbeque, refuelling with hot chocolate after a run, taking a nap during the day with the curtains drawn, and learning how to pickle cucumbers.
Really? Learn how to pickle cucumbers?
Jamie Oliver seems to pickle cucumbers …..
Moving on swiftly ….
What do you need to be ready for WHATEVER may lie ahead?
Like most people, you probably don’t know what lies ahead and you fear the worst. Actually, isn’t that true for most of us most of the time? We none of us knows what lies ahead even though we plan and prepare and presume that what we schedule and diarize will indeed happen. Eventually. Somehow.
Anthony Robbins, the American motivational speaker and author, (I know, a Marmite situation, love it or hate it...) said,
“People are shaped not by how things go when things are going well; people’s lives are shaped by the most difficult times. … This is your time for training, for practice, to prepare for what’s ahead…I guarantee you, winter will end, and when it does you will emerge that far ahead. You will have taken your life to a new level.”
How will your life be shaped in these difficult times?
Are you ready for what lies ahead?
How will you take your life, your walk with God, your spirituality, to a whole new level?
What will help you to prepare and to go deeper with God?
One thing that will happen in spite of Covid and economic downturns and whatever else life throws at us, is December 25th. Unless they change the very calendar before then (anything is possible right now, right?!)
December 25th. Remembering the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.
Christmas.
Maybe not in the way we normally remember and celebrate.
Maybe there will need to be new creative ways, less commercialism, (there’s always hoping!) other ways to celebrate the Saviour’s coming.
The Christian Church has traditionally prepared for Christmas and the coming of the Christ child through the four weeks beforehand, the time known as Advent. Perhaps this year, as lockdowns increase and uncertainty and fear surround us, it’s a good year to concentrate even more on the things of God.
To prepare for the coming of the Saviour.
To celebrate and remember Advent.
Not just the giddy opening of advent calendars filled with luscious chocolates (for the young) or gin or whisky (for the slightly older). But the burning of beautiful advent candles in church and at home. The hanging of a Jesse tree and its ornaments and verses. Special daily readings, such as Lucy Rycroft’s “Redeeming Advent” or Vicki Cottingham’s daily devotional.
But also a really special time of preparation, a time when it’s just you and God, allowing him the time and space to speak into your life? Here’s one especially for you:
An Advent Retreat
for uncertain and unprecedented times -
An Individual Guided Retreat (online)
Where: your own special Sacred Space. This is online. No need to worry about social distancing, masks, or what to wear! Relax in your comfy chair with your favourite brew , in your pjs if you like, and experience the presence of God in an unhurried and special way.
When: Saturday November 28th 2020 – the day before Advent begins so that you are ready to step into Advent itself. (but you can do it at any time - read on…)
What: The Three Questions. Looking at three very specific questions asked by people in the months and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. They were living through uncertain and unprecedented times; they each had difficult personal situations; they each had their worries and concerns. Sound familiar?
There’ll be some input, some time for personal reflection, some led meditation/ Imaginative prayer times. And a downloadable journal for you to keep and write in.
Time:
9.30am -12.30 pm (GMTLondon)
Session One: The Question of Disappointment
Session Two: The Question of Inadequacy/self-esteem
Session Three: The Question of Control
There will be a 5 minute ‘comfort break’ between each session.
The sessions will be recorded and you’ll be able to watch them whenever you like, so if you aren’t able to join us on 28th November, or if you are living in a different time zone, you’ll still be able to benefit from this retreat .
The cost includes:
- three hours on retreat
- teaching and input
- forever access to the recordings
- a downloadable journal
- resources
- and a special free gift just for you.
- Three hours for you to spend extra special time with God, something you might not actually get around to on your own!
All this for just £20. All you need to provide is yourself, a pen and somewhere comfy to sit, and a cup of coffee or tea – or hot chocolate! YAY!
Come and join us on November 28th for just three hours that will probably change the way you celebrate Advent and then Christmas this year.
Click here to join the online ADVENT RETREAT.
One thing before you go - here’s a little video to help you cope in these (dare I say unprecedented!) challenging times. It’s Bath Abbey’s Thought For the Day, one I was privileged to record a few weeks ago. Enjoy!
Did you skim read to the end??!! The most important bit is to prepare and get ready - you can find the link here to join the Advent Retreat on November 28th.
There are some affiliate links in this blog post. If you click through to buy one of the books, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! But absolutely no pressure and it’s great if you can order these from your local Christian bookshop.