5 April 2021
Dear friends
I hope that you had a Happy Easter in spite of the current situation. Thanks to technology and the expertise of some, we were able to share in the usual things that we do at Easter, albeit in a very different way. I really appreciated all of the Easter 'gatherings' this year. I found both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday incredibly moving, and then the joy of Easter Day – our Easter Morning Worship with Communion. It almost seemed more special than usual to me, maybe because so many things have changed.
So it got me thinking, how we have all suffered losses of one kind and another this past year – of freedom, but worse than that loss of health or even life. These things have been taken from us. But the thought that has come to me over and over again has been this, that Covid CANNOT TAKE EASTER AWAY FROM US. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is still alive and at work in the world, and signs of new life in plants, flowers, trees – all of nature, are with us too.
Next, my mind went in the direction of things that we can still do.
How many of you have a 'to do' list? I make one every day, and often end up transferring too much over to the next day! So I thought of Paul when he says in Philippians Ch 3 vv13/14 'But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.'
Well lots of things that are 'behind' cannot and should not be forgotten, but I have always found the 'pressing on' that Paul speaks of challenging, because we do have something to press on to. Something that this life which we know now cannot fully achieve.
This seemed to lead me on naturally to what I know. And just in case you haven't beaten me to it here it is, again from Paul – 'We know' that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.' Or as some versions of the bible say 'I am convinced..' Romans 8:38. That has always meant a lot to me, because although not everything that happens in our lives is good, God works for the good and I believe that ultimately we will experience that good, even when things and situations seem to say differently.
So, I have just shared some of my Easter thoughts and realised that there is lots to do while we press on. Doing our bit to save the planet, doing all that we can to support those who continue to live in poverty and hunger and devastation due to so many situations, and those in isolation, not just on our doorstep but also in the wider world.
These thoughts are to myself but I share them with you.
God bless you all as we press on together to work for the things that we know God would have us do.
With love