Although we now have our own building, it was in Hardenhuish School hall on 17th April 2005 that our church held its first public service of worship. This year that was Easter Sunday, so we chose to celebrate last weekend on 1st May. Starting our anniversary service with Psalm 90 we considered again the benefit of marking the passing of time:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90 vs 12)
As we paused to reflect the past, with its joys and sorrows, its encouragements and its pain, the overarching factor that continues to stand out is that the LORD has been faithful! We shared with the children that if our church had a birthday cake, every one of the 17 candles would be a reminder of God’s faithfulness for another year. Yet that’s not just true of churches: every anniversary and birthday we celebrate testifies to the same thing and is an opportunity for us to pause and reflect. As another Psalm describes, we are…
“…like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Psalm 103:15,16)
Like the natural world around us we are fragile, changeable and ultimately unreliable because we will not last. Yet as we look to the future we can trust a God who does not change.
By celebrating birthdays we can find a heart of true wisdom by acknowledging our need of Him. He alone is the source of everlasting life and hope which He freely gives to those who repent of their rebellion against Him and put their faith in the Lord Jesus.
We continue to thank the LORD for His grace and faithfulness!
Spencer Shaw