Dear Friends
One of my anticipated visits tomorrow, will be to see David, my spiritual director. Admittedly, “spiritual director” is a strange term, but basically David is someone who I have the opportunity to talk to in relation to my own journey with, and service of, God. Over the course of the hour, regardless of whether in the situations I share with I’m up or down, joyous or feeling sorry for myself, optimistic or pessimistic, David has an unerring knack of always bringing it back to God, with prompts such as “how do you think God sees you (or) it?”. Certainly it helps to switch the focus, moving away from my wobbles and inconsistency, and placing myself in the consistent and loving presence of God.
This year as individuals, a church community and indeed as a planet, we face a number of uncertainties which understandably might bring about a wobble or two. How better then, to have our new motto text: “FIRST,... the kingdom” - taken from Jesus’ teaching as conveyed by Matthew’s gospel. Here, potential followers then and now are encouraged to seek first the Kingdom of God – engaging with, and appreciating God’s way of seeing things, and then look to act in line with His priorities. I encourage us all to engage in this “seeking”, not least in the next couple of months as we spend time in church exploring some of the encouraging and challenging teaching of Jesus which sought to further expound aspects of the amazing kingdom of God.
God Bless
Simon
One of my anticipated visits tomorrow, will be to see David, my spiritual director. Admittedly, “spiritual director” is a strange term, but basically David is someone who I have the opportunity to talk to in relation to my own journey with, and service of, God. Over the course of the hour, regardless of whether in the situations I share with I’m up or down, joyous or feeling sorry for myself, optimistic or pessimistic, David has an unerring knack of always bringing it back to God, with prompts such as “how do you think God sees you (or) it?”. Certainly it helps to switch the focus, moving away from my wobbles and inconsistency, and placing myself in the consistent and loving presence of God.
This year as individuals, a church community and indeed as a planet, we face a number of uncertainties which understandably might bring about a wobble or two. How better then, to have our new motto text: “FIRST,... the kingdom” - taken from Jesus’ teaching as conveyed by Matthew’s gospel. Here, potential followers then and now are encouraged to seek first the Kingdom of God – engaging with, and appreciating God’s way of seeing things, and then look to act in line with His priorities. I encourage us all to engage in this “seeking”, not least in the next couple of months as we spend time in church exploring some of the encouraging and challenging teaching of Jesus which sought to further expound aspects of the amazing kingdom of God.
God Bless
Simon