Ministry Musings

Spring is in the air!  As we move  into the month of February we can thankfully say that the darkest part of the winter is behind us.  Evenings are becoming lighter and, as we see signs of early spring all around us, it fills us with fresh hope for the coming year.

 But for many people the future can look bleak. The world can seem a dark place, with a recession, unemployment, financial difficulties, ill health and uncertainty about what the future holds – security and hope seem to be in short supply and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.

But Jesus said “I am the light of the world – whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.

He doesn’t promise his followers an easy life but He does promise to be with us and to fill us with that inner glow of the Holy Spirit to guard and guide us, bringing His peace and hope into our lives, especially  through difficult times.

Jesus is our light and our hope for the future.  He can remove all fear and  replace it with his security.

This Good News is just too good to keep to ourselves!  We need to share it with those around us.

Have you ever shared a torch-light with a friend on a dark winter’s evening?  There is a sense of warmth as, together, you follow the beam of light.

We have the light of Christ in us and it’s meant for sharing.

Over the next sixteen months, as we light the Candle of Hope every Sunday, we will continue to use it as a symbol, reminding us that Jesus Christ is the Light of Hope that the world needs.

And so, as we prepare for the coming Flame of Hope mission in 2012 (mostly in the villages), and 2013 (mostly in the towns), can I suggest that we use the next few months to pray especially that God will give us His vision  of how He wants us to reach out to the surrounding neighbourhood and also to our own immediate neighbours and friends.

From the youngest child to the oldest adult in our church family, God has a plan for each one of us to be a part of His vision for the future of our church and the neighbourhood around it. 

And as we allow God to line up our wills and our vision with His wonderful plan, we might be amazed at what God can do, both with us, as a church and as individuals, as He reaches out to our needy world.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the Flame of Hope.

We pray that we may see signs of new life

In our churches and communities.

Give us a sure faith in Christ,

And the willingness to step out in His name.

Amen

May God bless you over the next weeks and months as we move forward with God, together.

Veronica