Who are We in the Divine Scheme of Things

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

What are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8:4

Who are we? Who are you? Do we truly know? We can look at this from so many different perspective, never agreeing on a single answer. When the psalmist asks, I do believe he is reflecting on the creation stories where God gives humans an important place in the scheme of life.  Humans have been given the task to care for themselves and the created world, ensuring its sustainability. 

However I ask this question many times when I experience the sudden death of someone I know well.  Here today and gone tomorrow.  We ponder what exactly is the purpose of life. I ask for different reasons from the psalmist.  I am given to thinking that each of us is made with a purpose in mind. Our purpose is through our lives others learn what to do and what not to do. We are examples and lessons to be learnt.  As we choose the ‘who’ we are to be, the lessons we share brings us closer to God. 

Have you ever considered that our various statements of faith speak to who God and Jesus are very clearly, but not humans. They reference Salvation, but not to humans.  Our various professions or should I say confessions of faith do not mention humans as the originators or patrons. Our purpose then while important may not be as significant as we think. It is not about us, but God and God’s divine plan. Our purpose is to fulfill that plan as God leads. Ours is the task to not compartmentalize or separate life into discrete areas, by thinking that some things are of God and others are ungodly. We have the responsibility to care for all. There is a common belief that some of us belong to God and others don’t. who we are in God’s sight then is dependent on our self esteem. If low, God cant love us, if high and egotistical its only us that God loves.

But it is that everything belongs. Life is life. God is God. Humans have many sides to them, – physical emotional spiritual but they work in tandem for the functioning of the whole persons.  The scientist, philosopher, psychologists all view humans differently.  But who we are as humans boil down to one thing, we are all children of God. Romans 8:14 ‘says, “for all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God.” Genesis 2 tells us that God spirit gave us the breath of life. If we are God’s children, then God cares very deeply what happens to each of us.  Who we see ourselves as though may be very different as we do not all acknowledge God as our creator and father. Humans are God’s children and God cares deeply for us.  As God’s children God has entrusted the care of the rest of the world to us.  We are not rulers over anything, but caretakers of ourselves and the rest of creation.  We each bear witness as unique individuals to a common life, created and orchestrated by God. May God enable us to be who God says we are.

May the strength of God pilot us. May the power of God preserve us. May the wisdom of God instruct us. May the hand of God protect us. May the way of God direct us. May the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. May Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May your Salvation, 0 Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore. Amen.

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Restoring Our Salt: A Deeper Spiritual Experience

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. Matthew 5:13

Yesterday, I led the Commencement Service for Black River High School. It is a service where new students commit to being good school citizens and all levels of staff renew this commitment. The prefects head boy head girl and their deputies are pinned. A very meaningful ceremony for those who participated. The guest preacher used Matthew 5:13-16 as his text. As he spoke, it dawned on me that being the salt of the earth was not only about going and doing. It was not only about seasoning other persons. But, it was also about experiencing life at a deeper level. Its how we restore our saltiness. It seems all this time I had missed what it could mean for the salt to lose its savour.

Salt is used for so many things, but when you are the salt as you preserve foods, clean wounds, make pigtail, and salt beef nice, how does it feel to be salt. I have to be careful as when Jamaicans say you salt it means something completely different from what I am thinking about.

Lets just take one instance of being salt. As a foodie lets look at seasoning meat. This feeling of being a salt grain, being sprinkled on meat, dissolving in the juices or fluids of the meat, not only changes the meat but the salt itself is changed. It becomes more than it was before. In seasoning the meat it gives itself over to being changed as it changes the taste of the meat. That I think is something I missed in this verse.
It speaks to the change that should occur deep within us. It speaks to our baptismal liturgy where it says our created nature is changed so deeply that is as if we are being born. That is what being the salt of the earth is. It is losing yourself and finding it in the ways of God. It is giving of yourself completely to be used by God to change the world and bring God’s kingdom to reign.

Referring to us as salt, the salt loses its savour when it forgets what its true nature is supposed to be. The salt loses it savour when it tries to do more than it is able and so makes no difference to the taste of the meat. The salt loses its savour when it chooses to stop being salt.

As the salt of the earth, we must never forget our purpose. We must never forget that while we are carrying out this purpose, we too are called to have an inner experience of God. Just as our presence should bring joy, hope, and love to those around us. We are to live in such a way that we live that same joy hope and love. We cannot teach what we don’t know. As our actions and attitudes inspire others to experience the goodness of God. We are called to understand how the experience impacts our relationship with God and that we should be looking at our experience in such a way that we see how it leads us closer to God. Let us not just be busy making others experience our saltiness, but seek to enjoy the experience of being salt.

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God’s World of Possibilities Awaits You

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Have you ever wanted something, but you were afraid to seek the help necessary to get it?

Jesus in this passage says there is no need to be afraid of inquiring. God will provide what you need. This sentiment is reflected all through the bible. In the beloved 23rd psalm it says “I shall not want”. Jesus in Matthew 7:7 reminds us that prayer, persistence, and faith are important disciplines in our spiritual journey.


Many times we ask, seek and knock, but what comes, is not what we expected, or envisioned and we reject what God has sent. It is like the man who was drowning and asked the Lord to save him. You all know the story, I am sure. A boat came, he did not take it, a helicopter came he did not take it a large ship came, he did not go on it either. When he died and went to heaven he asked God why God did not save him. God said I came for you three times and you rejected me.

Jesus encourages us to approach God with our needs and desires and we must be open to how God responds. We must be open to the possibilities. Les Brown says it is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared. Preparedness speaks to an openness that in life which as the people say, any game can play. We must be open and read the game as we play so we respond appropriately. You know how it is, you are only sure of your responses as that anything else is outside of your control.


Ask, seek, and knock shows us progressively deepening our relationship with God. Each action is a deeper level of commitment and effort in our pursuit of divine connection.


Firstly asking is putting our desires into word in an open and honest way, acknowledging our dependence on God. In asking we also acknowledge our fears and insecurities, as well as our hopes. The possibilities lie in God who is always listening and who promises that if you ask you will receive.


Next as we seek we actively search for God’s presence and guidance in our lives. Seeking implies a desire to understand God’s will and to grow in our faith. To discern what God is saying in our varied experiences. As we do so we find God’s answer.
Knocking implies that we never give up. We are persistent and determination. But we must be willing to take bold steps and to not be discouraged. God’s grace and the door will eventually open to bigger and better things. All this time God never leaves us and we take comfort that we will receive God’s full blessing.
God’s promise of “it will be given to you”, “you will find”, and “it will be opened to you” reassures us of God’s faithfulness. God’s wants a good life for us. God wants us to feel blessed. God wants us to understand that our efforts in seeking Him are never in vain. But we have to be open to the possibility that how God responds, and how the promise unfolds may not be how we thought it would happen. Despite our disappointment, we have to trust God’s game plan and be prepared for all eventualities. We trust in God as as the strength of God pilots us. The power of God preserves us. the wisdom of God instructs us. the hand of God protects us. the way of God directs us; the shield of God defend us; the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. Where God is all is well all will be well all manner of things will be well.

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Embracing Fellowship as You Walk in the Light

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

God is pure light undimmed by darkness of any kind. If we say we have an intimate connection with the Father, but we continue stumbling around in darkness then we are lying, because we do not live according to the truth. 1 John 1:5-6

John makes the point that in living in light we should have a deep knowledge of God.  In other translations it is translated as fellowship.   We must acknowledge who we are, our good and bad traits that helps us or hinders having true connectedness with God.   But our relationship is not only one directional between God and us. It is a 3 way relationship, because while we are in fellowship with God, we also have a relationship with Jesus and each other making a triangle – 3 sides and 3 points. Within the triangle you are always connected to a point by a side.  Thus, being close to each other is as important as being close to Jesus and God the creator, It helps us understand that walking in the light is an activity done in community with God and Jesus walking with us.  Being in community means you do not walk alone. You have journeying companions who gives us emotional and mental stability. When we open ourselves to having friends who look out for us, it gives us confidence and an assurance that all will be well.  We are better able to deal with the burdens and rigours of life when we have others to bounce ideas with, when we have someone to share our joys and sorrows with.

Our 3 pointed triangle while not a circle does give an understanding of connectedness and unity. Jesus in John 17 prayed that we would be one with him and the father as he and the father are one. This comes from knowing God deeply, loving God dearly, seeing God more clearly day by day. It also means living your God given life every day, no turning back. The song says “no man is an island no man stands alone.” We are dependent on others in so many ways.  God provides companionship directly and through others, as the strength of God pilots us. The power of God preserves us. the wisdom of God instructs us. the hand of God protects us. the way of God directs us. the shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. Where God is all is well. All will be well. All manner of things will be well.

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Walking in the light: Embracing Authenticity

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

God is pure light undimmed by darkness of any kind. If we say we have an intimate connection with the Father, but we continue stumbling around in darkness then we are lying, because we do not live according to the truth. 1 John 1:5-6

Walking in the light requires authenticity. For something to be authentic it is the real deal. There is nothing false about it. It is not fake.  An authentic person lives what is real. We are called to be authentic Christians

I read this illustration some time ago about being authentic.  The writer said that some of us are just like a counterfeit ten-dollar bill. You think it is genuine but it is not. You use the bill to pay for gas. The gas station manager buys supplies with it. It eventually reaches the bank and the teller says, “this bill is counterfeit.” That ten-dollar bill did a lot of good while it was in circulation, but when it arrived at the bank, it was exposed for what it really was and pulled out of circulation. Same with a counterfeit Christian. They may do many good things in this life, but when they face the final judgment, they will be rejected. Many times the test comes before. The times we are asked to make a big sacrifice for the good of others or the times when we are called to re-evaluate our thinking., our biases and prejudices.   Thinking about the times of judgment causes us to question ourselves. We ask “Am I a true child of God, or am I a fake Christian? Are we walking in the light of the Word of Life, in authenticity and truth?

 Authenticity is living with integrity. It is keeping your word and promises. We should not make promises we cannot keep.  Being authentic is also about being true to who you are. John  says God is pure light, there are no shadows or hidden places. All is visible. 

To be authentic, one must have an appreciation of what is true. The truth is defined in this letter as the Word of Life.  The same Word that became flesh and dwelt among us in the Gospel of John.  The implication is, to be alive one must know and have the truth. Each of us must ask himself. or herself “Am I a true child of God, or am I a fake Christian? Are we walking in the light of word of life , in authenticity and truth

Truth and light are both liberating elements of life. In light one is better able to see.  When we don’t understand we say shed some light on this. or enlighten me. It makes the path and understanding clear. The truth sets you free. There is no more ambiguity or doubt. There is an assurance and confidence that you are doing right. Remember Thomas telling the other disciples I must see  Jesus for myself? I believe it is what Thomas was seeking to do, to remove from his own mind any doubt that Jesus was indeed alive.  It was important to him. He did not want to be professing some falsehood, because his friends thought this would provide stability or some other reason. I do believe that Thomas was the kind of person who never accepted second hand information readily. He needed to know for himself.  Maybe we should take a leaf out of Thomas’ book to be always questioning seeking a deeper understanding of God and Jesus. 

Let us pray for God to help us

  1. To be true to God and ourselves.
  2. To follow God’s guiding light as God’s light shine into the darkness on our path.
  3. To be open to living a truly authentic life in the Jesus Way and
  4. Even while questioning, drawing closer to God
  5. May the mind of Christ our Saviour be with us and in us from day to day Amen
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Embracing Life’s Rhythms: A spiritual Perspective

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3 1-2, 4-5,  11

There are various patterns that are repeated in life. The teacher in Ecclesiastes calls them seasons. I prefer to think about them as rhythms like dances making life the dance.

Life has several contrasts, be it in nature or one’s  emotions. There is the ups and downs we experience like a boat being swayed by waves of the sea  

There is a time for everything.  It suggests that we shouldn’t expect life to be always the same.  It isn’t constant. We should be prepared for a change in rhythm. The master DJ has so designed life that it is not monotonous but engaging.

Everyone experiences these rhythms but what is critical is how you respond. Do you sway with the music being played or do you resist.  Some of us have no rhythm. Our friends laugh at us because we can’t dance. Life is not the kind of dance you can sit out until your favorite rhythm is played. One always has to embrace the music of the dance.  Many times we try to decide the outcome of a situation, or we anticipate that things will happen a certain way but it does not.  We are not in control God is. These various rhythms and dances that we perform helps us to have a healthy appreciation of what life offers.  We are able to always be optimistic, to live with hope and in hope, because everything is suitable in its time.

James talking to the Christians who ran from Jerusalem after the stoning of Peter said they should make allowance for their laughter to become mourning and their joy gloom. We must trust God and do our best dance. It does not make sense worrying over things we cannot control.

 Life happens and we have control over very little.  Things change according to the rhythm. Life isn’t always rosy and pretty, but the teacher says God makes everything suitable for its time.  Other versions say God makes everything beautiful in God’s time.  when all is said and done we would have performed our best dance and at the end of it all look back and say all things considered Life is beautiful. If we turn verse 14 -15 of the same chapter the teacher says he knows that what God does is forever nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it; What happens now also happened in the past. What happens in the future has also happened before. Things happen over and over again. God has done this so that we should just focus on worshiping him and not worry about the other things.  Let us trust in the lord and lean not on our own understanding. But in all our ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.  

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Calling out to God: Finding Strength in Times of Distress

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

I believed, even when I said, “I have been brought very low.” In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.” … I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:9-12

“I believed, even when I was I was thinking no one can be trusted.” 

Yesterday, I saw a video of a fire in the churchyard of the Black River Parish Church, that existed way back before the Sam Sharpe rebellion – 1831. I could not help but take a deep breath for fear of what could happen to that historic building. The fire station is right beside it, but so many things could have gone wrong. I wondered so what if it caught fire?

In questioning this I thought of the three Hebrew boys in Babylon who were put in the fiery furnace.  They told the King even if God did not save them they would not go against God’s teachings.

How have you been calling on God? Are you remembering that that is ultimately in charge? The psalmist is in a low place. He does not feel he can trust anyone. He remembers that God is always present. The psalm starts with acknowledging who God. He says “I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.” He then tells the story. Not only does he call on God, he promises to drink of the cup of salvation and fulfill his vows so the world could see the honour and glory of serving Christ. 

Drinking the Cup of Salvation has always sounded like the bitter gall Jesus drank. Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee if they can drink from his cup. The Jews have a drink offering, which Paul refers to in Philippians 2:17 where he says “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you”. It is the same thing the Psalmist is here saying.   No matter what happens I will praise the lord for what he has done for me.  The song says “he has set my spirit free”.  When we call upon God, God does save us.  God frees us from our burdens if we open ourselves to God’s bidding. As we call upon God we remember that God is in charge.  God is God and God behaves like God. God is there for us when we cry out of the depths of our sorrow, God provides the calm.  We call out and we lean on God. This leaning is I believe drinking of the Cup of Salvation. Most times we think of the chalice at Eucharist as the Cup of Salvation. The psalmist did not participate in the Eucharist so he was not referring to the Communion chalice. Here the understanding is different and symbolic. For me, the first taste is like bitter gall, and as we continue to drink we get the sweet taste comes through as our burdens and cares are being lifted. In Jamaica we say we feel light.

Let us then commend ourselves into the hands of God as we call on God even in desperate times. May we feel God’s presence as God strengthens us. We pray that God will give us a diligent and watchful and discerning spirit, to know God’s will, and to do it, to the honour and glory of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

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Who is Greatest

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

These verses reflect the disciples measuring up against each other, considering which one of them is greater than all the others combined.  I wonder what criteria they were using.

Jesus asked “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest… He said. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:33-35

  1. Our faith is our practiced way of life.
  2. All things come from God. All are God’s.
  3. Nothing is greater than another, everything functions as God designed it. Three thoughts that we must always bear in mind if we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

I always say that we shouldn’t compare ourselves with others, because they are areas in which we are the experts r no one around us has that same skill level, and so there will be few persons who know as much as we do.  Then there are other areas, where we have to follow the advice of others as they in that area or instance   are more skilled than us. 

Secondly I encourage persons to be their best selves that is, the person God has called us to be.  Mark here causes me to question if being our best self and greatness is the same thing.   If that is so, it seems I could be understood as suggesting you should want to be great, that you should strive for greatness.   I do not believe greatness as the disciples used it is necessarily how we understand greatness today. Nothing is wrong with being great but it should not be at the expense of others

Jesus defines achieving greatness as being not 1st or at the top of your game, like Usain Bolt or the American gymnast Simone Byles. It is more like the ability to do well while being at the bottom of the pile. Being unnoticed, a nobody, yet your skills are top notch and you execute whatever you are doing well. 

a person helping another

Jesus says we need more than being great to live a full and satisfactory life.  In some ways it is egotistic as it says I am better than the rest of you. This I believe is how we usually understand greatness.

Jesus says greatness is being of value to others. It is being at the bottom of the pile and unnoticed, yet doing your best is being great. He calls it Servanthood. In that space you are working for God and others.  You have yielded to humility.  It’s opening yourself to the possibilities that lies before you, looking from God’s point of view rather than looking on situations through past experiences, your biases and seeing yourself through the eyes of others.

So many of us find ourselves in this position and become frustrated and depressed, and/or unhappy as no one notices us. We do not feel appreciated. We believe we are not enough. We have not accomplished enough. Wanting to be great I then understand to be wanting to matter to others, for others to recognize our value and worth. 

Walking in the Jesus way, changes the questions we ask ourselves.  We no longer choose to ask: Am I successful enough? Have I reached my full potential, or have I failed to work hard enough, smart enough to get there? We ask instead – is my work glorifying God and neighbour.  Can others see Christ reflected in me? When we are at this level of spiritual maturity, we would be enough for God, for ourselves and for others. We are then exhibiting greatness. 

Remembering that the greatness we aspire to, is not as others perceive it, Let us allow the strength of God to pilots us. The power of God to preserves us. the wisdom of God to instructs us. the hand of God to protects us. the way of God to directs us. the shield of God to defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world. Where God is all is well all will be well all manner of things will be well.

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God’s Grace is Indeed Sufficient

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2Corinthians 12:9

This morning I woke up to thinking God’s grace is sufficient. I awoke last night and could not go back to bed. Fiddling with my phone I saw a WhatsApp message from a niece “Aunty you awake?”. It seems I was waiting for this call.  We had a lo-ong talk.  As we exchanged thoughts and I helped her to see God in what was happening, the words did not come but thinking back if I were to summarize our conversation it would be God’s grace is sufficient Everything since waking aligns to God’s grace being sufficient.  Grace we very often say is God’s undeserved favour.  I consider grace much more than that. It is the inner strength that constantly and continuously allows us to do and to be more than we first thought possible. It is the power of God to make a change in our lives and in the lives of others.  God gives us grace to respond to God in humility and lovingkindness. We in turn should have grace enough to respond to others in humility and lovingkindness. In Romans 1:5 Paul says we got grace to call others into obedience.

God’s grace is sufficient to get us through the dark times, when we cannot see where to put our foot, or when we have to decide which stone will provide better support as we climb a hill.  God’s grace is also sustaining as we do well, as we see clearly the path that God has laid out for us. 

Grace is a gift from God that allows us to care for others.  We care whether or not the person deserves it.  Grace is placing others on the same footing as yourself.   We care because God cared for us and we understand that as God’s image bearer we too must care as unreservedly as we are able.  I qualify this, because there are times when we genuinely want to help but are not able. If we are persons who examine our behaviour we maybe feel badly. But we should not feel bad in those situations, but be gracious to ourselves and forgive ourselves for not doing better.

There are so many bible passages about God’s grace and how it extends far and wide.  There is a movement called Gracism which focuses on the inclusion of others. It provides strength and guidance in America where racism is rife.  We here in Jamaica may not suffer because of our colour, but there are so many other ways that people exclude us, or in which we feel excluded. God’s grace is enough to carry us through, when we feel deserted, excluded and alone.  The psalmist says God is ever present.  May we be mindful of this. Understanding that Christ is with us, Christ is before us, Christ is in us, Christ is over us. Christ is all around  and where God is all is well. All will be well. All manner of things will be well.

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Second Chances: Nurture and Redemption

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Hilda Vaughan

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return to every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul decided not to take one who had deserted them and had not accompanied them in the work. The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul chose Silas. Acts 15:36-40

I smiled as I read Acts 15: 36-16:5 the second reading of today’s Daily Office.  Sharp seems like an understatement. If these 2 who had worked so well before, were now willing to part company because of who is on the team, the argument sounded more like a verbal fight, leaving each person with bruised36-40 egos.   

Paul was a great leader. We do not doubt that Paul was inspired by God.  Could it be that Paul held a grudge? It seems to me he was not willing to risk Mark doing the same thing on this second trip and so he refused to take him.  Paul was not willing to nurture the young Mark in patience and stick-to-itiveness. He wanted a more mature ready-to-go worker. Sometimes we have to ‘make’ persons into who we want them to be as fellow workers. We have to nurture and encourage them.

Yet Paul, years later, calls him a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). Not only that when Paul was in his last days in  prison in Rome  he sends for Mark.  “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).  John Mark had matured to become a faithful servant of the Lord and Paul was willing to acknowledge that he was valuable to the ministry. 

How often do we behave like Paul? Not willing to give a second chance? We rationalize our decision.  Paul I believe had decided that Mark did not have the makeup necessary for planting new congregations. Missionary work requires dedication, resolve, patience  and stick-to-itiveness. Like Mark many of us do not have enough of the 4 characteristics. Like Paul we want success in what we do, we are not willing to take a chance with persons in whom we have lost confidence. 

Maybe our attitude should be like Barnabas. We should choose to encourage the person who lacks confidence, or patience or some other skill which they need to be their best self.  He chose to give Mark a second chance, to build him up. Mark’s contribution was so great it could not go unnoticed by Paul. 

Sometimes the person who needs building is ourselves.  Each of us should consider what we need to do to be our best selves, what we need to do God’s work and work on achieving this better person.  It isn’t something that is easy to do by ourselves.  We need an accountability partner.  Barnabas was Mark’s accountability partner and Mark turned out just fine.  He wrote the first gospel. Using Paul’s own words, he was “helpful to him in ministry”.  Each of us is called to the mission field. It is a mission field where, who we portray in what we think do and say is the most important factors in bringing persons to Christ.  As the saying attributed to Francis of Assisi says “proclaim the gospel and if necessary use words.   

Let us seek to be more like Barnabas in situations where we are disappointed but choose to be nurturing.  Let us also be like Paul acknowledging and commending the achievement of others.  May God give us grace to choose which to do at the appropriate time, as the strength of God pilots us. The power of God preserves us. the wisdom of God instructs us. The hand of God protects us. the way of God directs us. The shield of God defend us. May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil and the temptations of the world.  Where God is all is well all will be well all manner of things will be well.

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