Letter to the Congregation February 2012.
Bill Armstrong
Despite
the recent horrendous weather – torrential rain and gale force winds, trees
down and roads awash – signs of spring are beginning to emerge. Snowdrops,
usually the first signs, are pushing through the cold earth as if to remind us
of the resilience of nature, even in exceptionally unfavourable circumstances.
Nothing is ever as dark as it seems. I am no weather forecaster, but the
prospect of a little sunshine brightens the spirit.
Faith and weather forecasting may not on the same wavelength, but we could find similarities.
A weather forecaster has historical records from which weather patterns can be deduced, though nowadays there are highly sophisticated computer systems that are able to predict more accurately what is likely to happen, and so we can be ready for whatever comes our way.
In matters of faith we also have a historical record. We can trace the activity of God throughout the pages of the Old Testament as the people of Israel came to an appreciation of the God who had chosen them for a special purpose – to be the priest to all nations. The story of the exodus from Egypt, for instance, was often a tortuous struggle as Moses led his people to the Promised Land. There were many rumblings and grumblings along the way, but they got there eventually.
The New Testament may not be a sophisticated computer system that makes faith projections, but in Jesus, God is brought into greater focus. No longer do we have to play guessing games about God; and we can see his influence in the present day people of faith.
Belief in God will not help us to avoid the mishaps and mayhem of life but through faith we will be ready to face whatever lies ahead.
We may not be expert weather forecasters, but we ought to know that whatever life throws at us there is one who will bring us through every situation, however desperate it may seem at the time. Snowdrops are the first natural signs of new life in a cold, dark landscape; the life, death and resurrection of Jesus points us to new life through the resilience of faith.
May God watch over you in all the days to come.
God bless you all
Bill Armstrong
Faith and weather forecasting may not on the same wavelength, but we could find similarities.
A weather forecaster has historical records from which weather patterns can be deduced, though nowadays there are highly sophisticated computer systems that are able to predict more accurately what is likely to happen, and so we can be ready for whatever comes our way.
In matters of faith we also have a historical record. We can trace the activity of God throughout the pages of the Old Testament as the people of Israel came to an appreciation of the God who had chosen them for a special purpose – to be the priest to all nations. The story of the exodus from Egypt, for instance, was often a tortuous struggle as Moses led his people to the Promised Land. There were many rumblings and grumblings along the way, but they got there eventually.
The New Testament may not be a sophisticated computer system that makes faith projections, but in Jesus, God is brought into greater focus. No longer do we have to play guessing games about God; and we can see his influence in the present day people of faith.
Belief in God will not help us to avoid the mishaps and mayhem of life but through faith we will be ready to face whatever lies ahead.
We may not be expert weather forecasters, but we ought to know that whatever life throws at us there is one who will bring us through every situation, however desperate it may seem at the time. Snowdrops are the first natural signs of new life in a cold, dark landscape; the life, death and resurrection of Jesus points us to new life through the resilience of faith.
May God watch over you in all the days to come.
God bless you all
Bill Armstrong
