As summer turns to autumn, the evenings begin to draw in and the air gets just that bit colder, the new ‘term’ looms large for children & teachers back to school, students to Uni and all the ‘usual’ activities looking to re-start. Yet this year is different: many activities stopped because of Covid and a good deal of what we once regarded as ‘normal’ now fills us with excitement or perhaps more than a little apprehension.
Many have used the pause as an opportunity to make long-term changes and all of us have the chance to reassess our priorities. The sense of a ‘fresh start’ brings with it choices: what priorities to set, which voices to listen to.
Last Sunday morning Klaas-Jan reminded us of the vital priority of the truth of the Gospel from 2 John… and the wonderful peace of knowing that truth was clear from the Lord Jesus words to His disciples on Sunday evening from John 20. But how do we put that brilliant news into practice? As the Christians at Philippi were presented with just such uncertainties, Paul wrote these words to them:
Phil 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
As we move into the next stage of 2021, let’s do that too!
Spencer Shaw