In my Bulletin message at the end of July I wrote of how the summer months offered the opportunity of living life a little slower with a little more space and went on to say:
‘Within this space lies the opportunity for more considered reflection on the way in which we are living, on our priorities, hopes, dreams and aspirations, an opportunity perhaps to reset and then maybe come the end of August or early September to make some more considered, better-informed resolutions for the coming months.’
I do hope that whether you went away, or enjoyed the rather quieter days and streets of home, you have found for yourself a little more space to be refreshed and renewed and maybe even had space to make a resolution for the coming months
And now September is upon us, the schools are returning, our roads will be busier and there is a sense of life returning to ‘normal’. We can of course simply pick up where we left off – there is for many of us a recognition that there are some things that simply have to be done, but there is also the opportunity offered to reset so that even if it is the same task we are engaged in, we might live it differently, find a way to live it more fully, to live it in a way that radiates a little more of the life and love of God.
Last Monday, I joined members of staff at All Saints Academy in Cheltenham as they returned for their new year, and we shared a simple Eucharist together. In that service we read Matthew (13:46) likening the Kingdom to a merchant looking for fine pearls and reflected on our call to look for the treasure in each and every person we encounter. We also considered Paul’s words to the Philippians (4:4f) ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always, again I say Rejoice’ and the exhortation to us not to worry but in everything by prayer and supplication to make our requests known to God.
It is these verses I offer to you as an encouragement to shape the days and months to come, and to live this year in prayer and trust as a simple seeker after God’s Kingdom and as one who knows and rejoices to share the live and love we have received in Jesus Christ.
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