Friends
Famine in Somalia, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the politics of our own country all conspire to cause concern, and as we turn to our Bibles, we do so knowing that to some of our friends and neighbours it is a hopelessly naïve response.
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope, and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
It doesn’t sit well with our understanding of a loving God that his plans might be unveiled in such difficult ways, and yet it depends on our interpretation of what is happening around us. In the Genesis story of Joseph, Pharoah’s dreams are interpreted as meaning that there will be seven fat years and seven lean years. The advice is to store up grain in the years where there is excess harvest so that come the time of difficulty there will be enough saved up to help the people survive. It would seem that God did not plan the harvests, but rather the warning and the presence of an interpreter.
By this logic, it would be irrational to see these great difficulties that we are living through as being sent from God, but it would seem in keeping with our Biblical history to imagine that he would send warnings and those who can speak such warnings. Yet it is hard to find these prophets and perhaps still harder to understand them. When the news trumpets “Death and Disaster” are the writers speaking prophetically or are they trying to increase the thrill factor for the sake of sales? It is so hard for us to interpret what is true and what is not, and yet our faith doesn’t give us answers, doesn’t even give us prophets, what it gives us is hope. Hope that God cares enough to make plans for us; hope that there is a way through; hope that God, who “so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) has not forgotten us and never will. We, like the Psalmist may cry: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? ” (Psalm 13:1) but like the Psalmist, we too can say with conviction, “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Psalm 126:6)
As the Harvest season draws to a close, may these well-loved verses bring us peace and confidence.
God bless,
Vicci
The International Harvest Supper held on Saturday 24th September was a great success, with over 50 members and friends in attendance. A worldwide variety of delicious food was served and thoroughly enjoyed by all! We are very grateful to everyone who helped to make this evening so enjoyable. Thanks also to all the fantastic cooks and all who attended or supported the event in other ways. We are all delighted that approximately £350 was raised for the charity ‘Rosie’s Rainbow’ and our much-needed Church Funds!