I invite you this week to imagine you are on a boat, perhaps a canoe, a sailing boat, a ferry or a great liner. Whichever you choose, think of yourself as on a long journey across the sea in the present time to an unknown destination called eternity. Throughout our lives we will all have a huge variety of experiences. Some of these may well be storms, some emotional and some physical, as well as spiritual storms. We will come face to face with sorrow of some kind – the loss of a loved one, a friend, a teacher, a pet – and we will turn to Jesus for help and peace of mind. He will always be there to accompany us in such times. We will have doubts that we are doing the right thing, worry about what the future will bring, temptations, worries. Give some time this week to imagine that you have overcome all the obstacles put in your way by circumstances that have arisen in your life and arrived at eternity, your ultimate destiny. What do you imagine it will be like? Will you meet your family who have gone before you? Your friends, teachers, companions? Those you have quarrelled with or just disliked? Will your surroundings be different? Will you be able to see your favourite places or perhaps the places you have longed to visit but been unable to do so. Will there be books to read?
I included a pet since there was a story this week about a little dog who followed the ambulance to the hospital where its master was being taken but was not allowed in. This dog went home each day, but returned every day for a week and remained outside during the day. It was wonderful to see both the dog’s joy when his master came out of hospital and that of its master.
This week may be a good time to give thanks to all who have helped you at various times, throughout your lives. It is definitely a good time to give thanks to the Lord who has always been there to bring peace to our minds, whatever the problem. He will calm tempers and bring peace to all who seek him, dispel worries and help us find peace in troubled times.
Last Sunday’s Psalm could be taken into our hearts and minds and acted upon at any time: “Lord, make me know your ways. Lord teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth, and teach me; for you are my God, my saviour.”
You can get a similar message from this coming Sunday’s Psalm which starts: “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.” And continues with “Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him, giving thanks, with songs let us hail the Lord.” With my love and prayers.