Hanging in there

At St John’s our theme for January and February is ‘Hanging in there’.  For many people, that feels like all we can do at the moment.  I had a conversation the other day with a man who does something I sometimes do myself when the TV news comes on – listen to the headlines to find out what’s happening in the world, but then switch off before the day’s depressing covid stories.

I find myself thinking about Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, in which he reflects on a time when things were so difficult that he despaired even of life itself.  Desperation and darkness affect many, and it’s reassuring to find the Bible confronting this honestly and directly, saying that God is faithful and trustworthy in tough circumstances.

Early in this letter Paul writes of being at the end of his tether, and learning to rely on God rather than himself.  Then in chapter 4 he writes about what it’s like to have Jesus alongside at the hard times in life, and he describes himself as:

• Hard-pressed but not crushed;

• Perplexed but not in despair;

• Persecuted but not abandoned; and

• Struck down but not destroyed.

Alongside my desk, I have a bottle of champagne and a crumpled, disposable plastic cup as a reminder that the good news of Jesus is my treasure even if the disposable cup is more like me.Even if you feel like a disposable cup, I commend Jesus to you as treasure – the champagne will taste great whatever the cup is like!

A new year with God

Happy new year!  Naturally I am used to working over Christmas but this year I stumbled upon an unfortunate Christmas-avoidance strategy – get covid.  But I am out of isolation now and well, safe to interact with the world. Thank you to all who prayed for me.

Whenever a new year begins, there are hopes for better things – better times ahead for each of us, progress in the fight against the pandemic, maybe even getting fitter/thinner etc.  My optimistic pre-covid gym has already tried to lure me back, but the rowing machine and weights in my spare room are signs that I’m not temptable!

I find myself thinking about the best new start I ever made – becoming a follower of Jesus.  I didn’t come from a church-going family but when I was a teenager someone gave me a Bible.  I read it and discovered that God loves me, sent Jesus to rescue me and I could leave behind the pain/sin/regrets of yesteryear.  That’s the same good news that Christians have celebrated ever since Jesus came.

Like many of us, I enjoy ‘Match of the Day’ and it’s part of my weekend.  One of the things that Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and co love to talk about is when a game-changing substitute comes on and turns things around in a match.    I think of Jesus rather like that on a much bigger scale – He changes everything and proves to be what people have been missing and wanting.   Whatever the new year brings, I hope you will find some of his love, light and peace in your own life.

Wishing you God’s best,

David

Just a number?

As we approach Christmas, I find myself thinking about the difference between being a number and a name.  There are so many times when we feel like just a number – for tax, passports, bank accounts and so much more.  This year, many of us have become familiar with yet another ten digit number – our NHS number, handy to give for vaccines, boosters, covid tests etc! 

People tend not to feel significant when they are just a number, but with God things are completely different.  In the eyes of many, not least the Romans holding the census which caused them to go to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were just another unimportant Palestinian couple.  But God saw things very differently, sending an angel to greet them each by name (see Matthew and Luke for details) and tell them what was about to happen.

I wonder – do you ever feel insignificant, just a number, or maybe ‘just another brick in the wall’ as Pink Floyd sang?  If so, then it’s refreshing to know that God knows each of us by name and we are precious to Him.

I’ll add one more thing about names.  God instructed Joseph in advance what name he should give his son: ‘Jesus’ means ‘God saves’ so the clue about what Jesus will do is embedded in his name.  Even his nickname ‘Emmanuel’ tells us something about him, meaning ‘God with us’.  I’m so glad that He is.

Wishing you His best,

David

Unexpected twists and turns

Over the summer, I enjoyed reading a book containing the early history of the Supermarine company – ‘The Spitfire Kids’ by Alasdair Cross was an excellent read.  It explained how Supermarine developed from its early days in Southampton to being geographically dispersed to avoid bombing by the Luftwaffe..

It got me to thinking about how our lives often follow a path which we could never have predicted.  I get regular reminders of this when I take funerals, hearing from family members about the life of the deceased, with twists and turns that take in various relationships, changes of location, job, life stage etc.

There’s a verse from the Bible which I have on the wall in my study, above the year planner board: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16.9).  The Covid pandemic has taken so many things in unanticipated directions, including tragedy and trauma for millions of people around the world.  But God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and He doesn’t change, whatever the circumstances.  So we can rely on Him and walk with Him through all the ups and downs of life.

The current book I am reading is ‘Gentle and lowly’ by Dane Ortlund, reflecting on the only time when Jesus Himself spelled out His nature.  In Matthew 11 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  What a great invitation that is.

Summer reflection

My favourite place in the world is Keswick in the Lake District, a wonderful small town alongside Derwentwater, surrounded by the four highest mountains in England.  One of the great things about the place is that, whichever direction you look in, there are mountains and hills.  I can’t help thinking of Psalm 121 when I’m there: “I lift my eyes up to the mountains: where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  So whichever particular mountain is in view, the source of help is beyond it, with its maker.

I wonder: what are the ‘mountains’ in your life at present?  What challenges are you facing?  Perhaps they seem insurmountable.  Maybe it’s a task at work or at home, maybe a broken relationship that needs repairing, maybe something related to the coronavirus pandemic ... the list is long.  There’s no ‘magic wand’ to wave and solve all problems, but when we look beyond our ‘mountain’ to God Himself, we find the best source of help there is.

Becky and I go to Keswick most summers, for two reasons: for the beauty of this place and for the annual Keswick Convention, where Christians have gathered for the last 146 years, with breaks only for world wars and the pandemic last year.  Many of you know that I used to be in the overseas aid business before I became a vicar, so I have visited many exotic places around the world, but Keswick is my favourite place of all, partly because of what it’s like and partly because of what happens here.

Wherever you find yourself, and whatever mountains you face, I hope you will find your real help in the Lord.