[Transcript of “A 5 minute cuppa” published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube[1], February 2021]
Hi everyone, welcome to ‘a five minute cuppa’. This is the place that you can come any time of day, just for five minutes, to relax, put your feet up, have a cuppa and listen to a few words to help you grow in your relationship with God.
Years ago I had a friend who I’d meet up with for a cuppa and a chat. This friend personified warmth and joy and always did me good. I remember during our conversation he would often slip in what seemed like a simple question: “How are you and Jesus doing?” The question always flummoxed me and although I’d politely say “We’re doing okay, thanks”, if I ever let myself reflect honestly on that seemingly simple question I had to admit that Jesus and me were more like casual acquaintances rather than the close friends that the worship songs and sermons spoke of in the church services I attended.
Sometimes we think it’s dishonouring to God to express doubts or fears or show our weaknesses. This can lead to the pretending we are so familiar with when we do church.
You know, I think Jesus breathes a huge sigh of relief when we’re finally honest with ourselves and with Him; when we cry out “Lord, there must be more than this”. Wanting our faith and relationship with Jesus to be different, expressing our dissatisfaction with the way things are is not necessarily a bad thing. Jesus likes raw honesty. That’s the place we come face to face with Him; it’s often the catalyst that marks the change we’re looking for. I thought I’d share a couple of times that this has happened for me.
One time I had a strong awareness that I just couldn’t shake, that I was living my life a bit like the disciples but in the days before Jesus died on the cross and came back to life again. I knew about Jesus but not his life-changing power. Our thoughts kept coming back to the disciple Peter who, despite his good intentions, deserted Jesus in his final hours because he was so afraid. Contrast that with the Peter who after the resurrection of Jesus showed so much courage to speak out to thousands about the life-changing relationship he had found even though this put his life in danger; the Peter who would walk by crowds of people and where those who were sick would be instantly healed when Peter’s shadow touched them. My simple prayer was, “Do for me what you did for the disciple Peter”.
Another time I was dissatisfied with my prayer life, realizing it was built on ‘should do’s and habit. My honest heartfelt prayer was similar to that of the disciples: “Lord teach me how to pray! I’m pretty good at asking for help in a crisis or asking for help with important decisions but I don’t know how to hear You speak to help me”.
I know that Jesus is okay with us expressing dissatisfaction when we turn to him and asking for a change because I’ve experienced it first-hand. Hundreds of timely God-instances that have brought about a miracle in my life.
I have another friend now who I meet up with for a couple in a chat; she often asks the same question: “How are you and Jesus doing?” The question doesn’t flummox me anymore because now I don’t just believe in Jesus but I know Him, I speak to him every day and I’ve finally learnt to give him space to speak back.
I’ve got my cuppa; can I ask you a question? How are you and Jesus doing?
[1] YouTube link: How are You and Jesus Doing?
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Contributed by Sandy Turner; © the Author
