Ephesians 3 - Ever get the feeling you're slowly becoming Rev Run?

Whilst traveling on an old public bus through the mountains of Madagascar last November, God began to speak to me about Ephesians 3. This is an amazing passage about the vastness of Gods love, and each time I read it I feel as though he reveals a little more... Because the entire expance is far beyond our comprehension. The Galifreyan tradition of staring into the vortex of time itself breaks and shapes the person that each time Lord is to become, because what they see is far bigger than what they are able to comprehend (you knew Dr who reference or two was inevitable). It's impact alters lives and creates perspective. God's love is infinitely greater than the comparibly miniscule vortex - revelation would be annihilation. And so, he reveals it to us one manageable human step at a time. One giant step for man, one timid shuffle in the grand perspective.

And today it wasn't even the whole chapter that spun me into this writing frenzy.. it wasn't even a whole verse, it was this simple line...

'And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love...' (Ephesians 3:17)

Rooted and established.
Grounded, strengthened, founded, fed, nourished, held and maintained. All that we are, grown from a foundation and understanding that we are loved.

When a person feels loved, they feel secure and they grow and thrive in other areas of their lives. We feel assured in our identity because someone outside of ourselves is able to love the person that we are, approval needed. When we try to find our security else where we limit ourselves. Money, work, home, possessions all give the illusion of security... The human picture of security is a prison. Trying to secure yourself in these things only builds walls that restrict - securing yourself in the assurance that you are loved breeds roots that feed life and growth.
                                    

Human copacity for love is limited. Trying to establish yourself on this alone is like planting your tree in a plant pot - right concept, same limits. God's love is the only source big enough to fulfil each person, when you secure yourself and your identity here, other relationships will flourish.

Take down the prison that obscures your perspective. Plant yourself in his soil.

Where is your temple?

I stand here in a temple of deception. Surrounded by idols, people worship a distortion of the truth. It is important to remember:

God became man - but man is NOT God.

But judgement is never our cause, where is our own motivation? In so many cultures today, ego holds the wheel in a pursuit of affirmation and 'success'. What are we truly living for?

I refuse to live as a slave to my own ego. Question perspective and acknowledge motives. Live each day for the right reasons, accept that we don't have all of the answers and step out on the waters.

Wake up, take risks and embrace the FULL potential!

Exodus 20:3 'You shall have no God's before me.'

Impacted.

Alex Hurry you were one of the most incredible and unique people I have ever met, and not a day goes by where I don't miss you.

I dont ever intend to forget you, to move on, or to live as though you never impacted my life. You taught me that people aren't as strong as they would like the world to think. As 'playing it cool' continues to make the world ever colder, you were one against the crowd. What many see as weakness, you wore as strength. Openness. The boldness to be yourself and an inability to hide your feelings from the world. You were you, humbled and broken, and you didn't conceal that from anyone. You let people in, all the way in. Our culture is driven by individuality, possession and independence. A self-centred notion, that in the end can only leave us feeling alone.

You were dependent, but I wasn't dependable. Change has to start somewhere.

Slow to judge, you took the time to listen and care. What you heard made an impact. You allowed yourself to take on the feelings and others, and bring yourself to their level. Whether you could help or not, simply knowing that you were there made life that bit easier. But now there's a void where solice was found.

Ever since that day I've been tearing myself apart, replaying situation and circumstance.

A cyclic process makes no progress. I need to break out of this and I know that's what you'd want. Every day I'm faced with your picture on my phone and Facebook and it feels like I'm having the wind knocked out of me all over again. I reread conversations and replay songs. 'I hope that you remember me.'

I don't ever intend to forget, and I don't ever intend to move on, but I want to live in the positive impact that you had on my life. It's time to take a step forward. You've taught me to stop and take the time for the people around me and not to take any friend for granted. You showed me that it's okay to be broken sometimes, but we need the strength to move on. Every time I watch my favourite movies, listen to my favourite bands or read my favourite books I will be reminded of you. A loving man of impeccable taste.

 'There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” - Gandalf the Grey.

Three months ago I would have been inclined to judge and slander at a piece of writing like this. Society teaches us to hide behind an image of success, putting our self worth in the hands of others. But I'm done hiding.

I want to be able to be as open and loving as you were every day. Your strengths will be my inspiration. I promise to try my best never to let anyone down the way I did to you.

I'm so sorry Murreh.

 I love you x

22 Reasons why I love and miss you daily.

22 Reasons why I love and miss you daily.

1, Your pretteh face

2, Your girlish squeels

3, Your wild beard

4, Being as readable and open as a book

5, Being my piercing twin - and forgetting and re-realising with the same enthusiasm over and over

6, Your ability to never judge the ones you love

7, Your confused little face

8, Your willingness to help in any situation (provided it involved minimal physical strain)

9, Your sense of humour

10,Your exquisite taste in films

11, Your impeccable taste in music

12, Your record breaking laziness

13, That fashion sense

14, The fact that a friend could never impose

15, Your hugs - despite my awkward resistance

16, Your university kitchen cupboards - NOODLES.

17, Your well disguised geniusness (it's a word)

18, The fact you never ever got mad or shouted at me - even when I really deserved it

19, The way you always made me feel welcome, even if I knew no one else in the room

20, Because you were always only ever a phone call away

21, Teaching me the art of Werging

22, Being Murreh - My Hurry

Happy birthday Murreh, love Mabbeh

For Alex Hurry. 'There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” - Gandalf the Grey.

I've tried over and over to start writing something, anything, to try and convey how much you mean to me. I spend half my time writing and yet when it comes to something that means so much, I'm completely lost for words. 

I'm so grateful for every last ridiculous memory that I have with you. I may be a useless wanderer who can't sit still, but something - everything about you kept me gravitating back.

Some people grow up as friends, some achieve friendship and some have friendship thrust upon them. You certainly had this friendship thrust upon you. But, despite our blunt beginnings, you were to become one of my closest friends. 

The loyalty and love that you have for your friends is a trait rarely seen in such purity. I feel I can speak for many when I say it is an honour to have known and loved you. 

I remember being horribly nervous, before asking if I could go to Download with you for the first time. Looking back, that makes me smile. The relief when I realised you were just as excited by the idea as me! 

It is no secret that Download Festival is the highlight of my year. Those five days in a field with you and my Southern family are favoured above any international adventure.

You are one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Gentle and compassionate, hilarious and endearing. A rare combination of humble intelligence and unrefined childish humour - everything was of interest, from a Hurryward perspective.

Although we discussed the likelihood of being descendants of Dwarvish blood, I have recently concluded that your lovable foolishness is paralleled only in Hobbit tendencies. It was a dangerous business indeed, stepping outside the front door with you, I had truly no idea where your navigation would take us!

I'll never forget trying to direct you out of Sheffield

'Take the next left.'

'Okay.'

'I meant the next left that's a road, Hurry...' - as we pull into a car park.

Costco, Corp or McDonald's, every outing was an adventure, although tent shopping was probably one of my favourites. 

'Big enough for two air beds', Anna requested. 'At least a four man', were her conditions.

We were ALL OVER the situation. Equip with an expired Go Outdoors card and envisaged air bed parameters we set forth into the camping shop. We tested every show tent in town, lying side by side 'be the air bed, BE the air bed!' Success! We purchased a tent that was both roomy and stable - Anna approved.

Werging, probably our favourite pass time. A simple yet consistently hilarious art, of which you will forever remain undisputed Jedi master. My Hurry - my Abi; Murreh and Mabbeh. It makes my stomach sick to think I'll never hear you say that again.

I miss your southern accent - almost as much as I miss your northern one.

I miss your unique logic, and the way you always knew just what to say.

I miss your 'southern lessons' - how you would read children's stories to help me practice understanding you... then get yourself confused by the inevitable plot twist.

I miss your flowery shorts - florts, and your never ending patience.

I miss knowing you're just a phone call away.

Alex Hurry, I miss you. 

We all do.

There will never be anyone quite like you.

 I love you Murreh, find peace, where ever you are.