God will never let you down!

God will never let you down!

Dear Friends

Doesn’t summer just bring its own special sights, sounds and smells?  The wafting of barbeque smoke, cold beers on the pub lawn, the scent of flowers, children’s laughter, the splashing of water in paddling pools, men in socks and sandals (I’m not allowed out dressed that way), open topped cars, late summer evenings and glorious sunsets, holidays. I could go on and on. I love the summer time, there’s something about it that just lifts the spirit! My only regret is the lack of football to watch on the TV – mitigated by Wimbledon and the forthcoming cricket test matches even though our teams often let us down!

It’s always difficult to deal with disappointments and the feeling of being let down; so can we be as generous and noble in defeat as in victory? How quickly will all those St George Cross flags disappear if we are beaten and how many of us will still be glued to the TV to watch the one day matches?

It’s the same in our every day lives! If we raise our hopes and expectations too high only to be let down our natural instinct is to turn our backs and walk away in despair. There’s a wonderful story in Luke’s Gospel of two followers walking home to the town of Emmaus that really captures the sense of loss and disappointment.

But there is another way (to coin a phrase!). St Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  

These are wise words and worth dwelling on when you’re going through a tough time. One thing you can be absolutely certain of;  God will never let you down, disappoint you or dash your hopes; he has a perfect plan for your life, even if it doesn’t feel like that sometimes – why not give him a chance and try talking to him about it for a moment – you may be surprised!

Have a fantastic summer, long may the sun shine on you and may we look forward to a great celebration of England victory in the test match – bring it on!.

 

Your Friend in Christ.

Arthur

Vicar of St Gabriel’s


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