“With: Reimagining the way you relate to God” is a book written by Skye Jethani. It is a interesting book on our posture before God. Posture is very critical, the way we approach God gives insight into how we live. Skye’s point is that we have more than likely been living in four postures that are incorrect but quite common among Christians. His alternate, and certainly much more correct stance is one where we live ‘with’ God.

Life from God is a stance where we seek God’s blessings and gifts. We hope that he might bless our business but play little role in our lives outside of the gracious gift giver.

Life over God is the savvy pastor aware of good management practices, key leadership principles and a master of organizational policies. This person focuses on proven formulas and predictable outcomes in lieu of prayer and an unpredictable God.

Life for God is probably the most celebrated position amongst evangelical circles. It is the goal of doing as much for God as possible. Our goal is to accomplish great things in God’s service. We gear our lives around figuring the best way to serve God.

Life under God sees God as a simple cause-and-effect idea. We obey, he blesses. We mess up, he punishes. Our goal is to stick to the guidelines, work out what he approves and work vigilantly to live within those boundaries. This has consequences when God proves not to be a simple as cause-and-effect.

Finally we have a posture that sees us living life with God. That posture includes life with God, Faith, Hope and Love. Finding ourselves communing with God in a deeper more truer sense of the word. This position seems to have the best parts of all four postures with enough faith freedom to allow God to be himself. It is centrality lies for me in release of control and self to God. To steal a formula from another currently popular book Jesus + Nothing = Everything.

Skye’s book ‘With’ is a good book that is well worth a read. Especially as a Pastor it provided some really helpful insight on my posture and attitude before God.

While I was away on retreat, I learned of my uncles passing 2 days ago. I wanted to share the letter I wrote.

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Famously we read Psalm 23 at Funerals. It seems to talk about Death and we find comfort in the words of the Lord;

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil, 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
they comfort me.”

The problem is Colin walked in the Valley of Death this week, valley of the Shadow of Death is where we all dwell now. Just beyond this valley though is the one that Colin walked, it sits at the feet of Mount Zion, God’s Holy Hill.

Where the Valley of the Shadow of Death might be bleak and dark, ‘Death Valley’ is illuminated by the Glory of God. It is a far prettier valley than the one we walk in today. It is the Valley we walk only once, and it leads to the Throne of Jesus.

There Colin meets Susan and is reunited with his daughter.

There Colin receives his eternal body that will never grow tired or weak.

There Colin finds joy, peace and happiness beyond his wildest dreams.

So it is important for us to mourn and reflect on a friend who departed. One who will sorely be missed. As we reflect fondly on the memory of Colin, let us remember that he has only gone on ahead of us. One day we too will join him on the walk through the Valley of Death to Zion’s Hill. Perhaps more appropriately we should reflect on these words;

“Have you not heard?
 The Lord is the everlasting God, 
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
 He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
 and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)

For today, Colin soars like an eagle. He runs and does not grow weary. He will walk and never grow faint, because on Zion’s Hill we live with an everlasting God.

I will miss you Colin. Your surly, cheeky character made you an endearing man. Your marriage was a reminder that love can still stand the test of time. Despite hardship and the heartache of outliving your daughter you sense of humor reminded us that there was always joy despite circumstance.

I never know how to land a letter so I will finish with an old Irish Funeral Prayer…

“God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around you and whispered, “come to me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.”

We miss you friend, Carly, Ruby and I look forward to the day we meet face-to-face again.

Love.

Duncan.