Dear Friends

The recent long spell of wet weather has had most of us grumbling!  Plans have been interrupted and many people have stories of flooding and disaster.  On reflection, what I have just realised is that during what seemed like days of persistent grey skies, I was longing for the weather to be the way it should be!  After a long cold winter, we deserve some better weather; it cheers us up.

I have other longings that are more significant than for a warm sunny day!  Visiting older folk in hospital or their homes is a blessing to me.  Despite their resilient spirits and the encouragement we share together, I am left with a similar longing to when the rain keeps pouring.  I long for a better day when Jesus will come and end all suffering.

A deep (though often unrecognised) pain is the ache of human hearts for meaning and purpose to life. As Christians, we have discovered that our connection with Christ has answered our questions about the future and brought us peace and a deep sense of joy.  Rather than keeping this for ourselves, let’s live and work to relieve the pain of so many people, especially the hurt that comes from being alone and not close to others.  ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’* means that as we bring God’s peace to others, we experience the blessing of God.  As we serve to grow the kingdom of God, our longing for a better world is balanced by our experience of Jesus peace today.  ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled.’ John 14:27  May all our longings find their solution in Jesus, His truth and His presence.

Pastor Bernie Holford

*Matt 5:9