'Cries of the Heart: The Cry of Chillax (Psalm 37)' by Mal Calladine - August 2 2020
How can we make a difference in difficult times? In this talk, Mal Calladine looks at why our hurried, anxious responses to challenge can make life worse, but if we can learn to become a non-anxious presence, we can change our world. We can learn about how to do this from the writer of Psalm 37. Like them, can we trust God to help us, creating space in our lives for trust and delight to grow?
Notes for reflection and discussion
Mal writes:
Below we suggest places for further study & reflection, listing the passages referenced on Sunday, to re-familiarise yourselves or to do a more in-depth study on those scriptures (before you meet to discuss them online?). Then there is a list of life application questions & discussion starters, as a suggested structure for when you meet...
My Goal was to consider some ideas behind what I think is the most important prophetic challenge I have heard in this Covid season – the call for us to be a ‘non-anxious presence’ in our world right now. To consider where we most fret & are anxious; & what He wants us to do about it…
Suggested Further Study
Watch “Becoming a non-anxious presence” – John Mark Comer from Vineyard UK NLC Jan 2020
Watch Mal’s introductory talk in this series about Cries of the Heart which introduces the goals of this series, and starts to unpack Psalm 139 & the place to listen to our laments, as a way to work out where we have ‘anxious thoughts’.
And for fun - the subreddit Aged Like Wine or ‘aged like milk’ for the opposite
Scriptures referenced in the Talk
Psalm 37
v1, 6,8: Do not fret
v3-5: Instead…
trust & do good
dwell in & enjoy safety
delight & receive
commit & trust
Psalm 139: 23
‘Known’ - then search me Oh God & know my heart, test me & know my anxious thoughts
Matthew: 8 & 14 – the 2 lakes
Question to command: ‘why are you afraid?’ to ‘Do not be afraid!’
Discussion Questions
Where are my “anxious thoughts” most focussed at the moment? What specific areas am I reminded of when I read the psalmist say “do not fret”?
Becoming a ‘non-anxious presence’:
where can I most embrace a “slowed down spirituality” at the moment?
what does a ‘sabbath’ rhythm look like for me right now? What elements could I invest in more?
which are my deepest sharing relationships? How are they doing? How could I invest in them more?
how could I make more space for contemplation & reflection? What does it look like for me to “relax into God’s goodness” ?
In what areas in my life do I most need to be differentiated (emotionally indifferent & free) from what is going on? To acknowledge there are hassles, but to be in a place where I’m OK with it? What does that look like for me?
“I want & choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me” Ignatius of Loyola