O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 11:33-12:2 (NRSV)

As we all look forward to the August holidays, God’s words to us in the letter to the Romans, quoted above, are apt. We look forward to a time of resting in God, whether in prayer in our quiet time, or while spending time with others or completing chores we never get to in term time. The metaphor is of presenting our bodies as sacrifice points to our surrendering ourselves to God, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable for God our Creator to work within us, loving us and renewing our awareness of God in us and in each other. “Sacrifice” is an uncomfortable word for many in our society today, however, having given over ourselves to God, effectively saying “over to You, Lord”, we find the “sacrifice” we have made to be a relief.

Revd Claudia Coustas