Wednesday Reflections 1

My favourite verse in the Bible was written about 600BC - 2,600 years ago. It appears in the Book of Samuel, a book which narrates powerfully the story of the history of Israel and God’s chosen people, the Israelites and founders of the Jewish nation.

The boy Samuel was the child whom his mother, Hannah, never believed she could have. She was barren and unable to conceive children. From his birth, Hannah vowed to God to give Samuel back to Him and from his very early years, he lived with Eli, the priest in The Temple.

“Those who honour me, I will honour” were the words spoken by a prophet, a messenger from God, to Eli. They talked then as they do today of living a God-centred life. What does “honouring God” mean in everyday life in 2020? Well his son, Jesus, makes for the ultimate example to model this. And His word, the Bible, makes for the ultimate guidebook for us to read regularly and see us through the challenges of life. As people who find a personal faith with fresh and new perspectives, in good times and bad, Christians can respond to  God’s calling and direction in every part of life - at home, at school or college or at work.

This immensely special verse has become significant for the wider Mitchell familya nd sits as the motto on our family Coat of Arms. It is my prayer that this verse will continue to be as powerful and impactful for future generations as it has been for me.

Across the City of Chester and the County of Cheshire, let’s commit to a renewed focus on honouring God in our own lives today.

Chosen reference: Esther Chapter 7 Verse 1-4

So the King and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” 

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favour with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”

My first job after university was as Assistant Organist at Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire. Working at the Minster as Bursar was my future wife, Louise. 

We began seeing each other in 1999 and were eventually married at Christmas 2001 in the Minster. Louise suggested that these words from Ruth were put on the front of the order of service as they spoke of love and companionship and about our shared ideals of family and commitment. In 2002 we moved to Chester with our daughter Laura on my appointment as Assistant Director of Music at Chester Cathedral. Louise left her family behind in Nottinghamshire and, Ruth’s words – although in a different context – were again relevant. As a professional musician, a career path taking me regularly away from home was an option available to me. Many musicians live a life touring the globe, but it was a life I did not want to contemplate as I have always prioritised family life above personal ambition. Louise and I have seldom been apart for any length of time and, for us, Ruth’s words remind us to be true to ourselves and no matter what we must deal with in our professional lives, family comes first. 

I love this invitation the Old Testament God Yahweh makes to Moses from the Burning Bush. On noticing a bush ablaze, Moses has ‘turned aside’ to see why the bush isn’t burning up. To me, this speaks of the inexhaustible Mystery of God – a mystery which may be just within my sight, and to which I can turn by turning aside just a little. And having turned aside, I’m invited to remove the sandals from my feet. 

In this invitation, I used to hear Yahweh asking Moses for respect; now, the invitation has grown to mean so much more. Now, I hear an invitation to stay awhile with Yahweh, this mysterious presence, not to move on quickly to something else; I hear an invitation to sensitive connection to the ground beneath my feet; I hear the risk of vulnerability. I believe that all ground can be holy ground, and this invitation is made by a loving God.

The invitation to turn aside, like Moses, to be curious and attentive and responsive, to stay a while, sensitive, risk-taking and grounded – all of this inspires my understanding of the importance of retreat times and underpins my work at Retreat House Chester. It’s about authentic encounter.