We have a King who forgives – we are called to be a people who forgive.
We have a King who saves – we are called to be a people who offer salvation.
We have a King who is innocent – we are called to be a people who, even imperfectly…aim to live lives of purity.
We have a King who remembers – we are called to be a people who will not leave anyone out of the arms of love stretched out on the Cross.
The road ahead is rough not smooth.
But that is not what we are promised. There lie many trials, tribulations and fears ahead of us.
As Julian of Norwich recorded the words of Jesus in her Shewings, ‘He said not “Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be dis-eased”; but he said, “Thou shalt not be overcome.”’
…having had the demoniac run towards him Jesus now sends him away with a new mission. No longer is he to be the one of whom his friends and family are frightened and perhaps even ashamed, but instead he is to:
‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you’.
We cannot hold on to the blessings of Christ if our hands are wrapped around something, anything, else.
We will not enter into the joy of our Father if we continue to seek fulfilment in the things of this world.
‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John the Baptist)
When we learn to follow the first follower of Jesus we discover that the Christian life is about learning to grow smaller.
NEVER does a man portray his own character more vividly than in his manner of portraying another.
We find it difficult to think well of those by whom we are thwarted or depressed, and we are ready to admit every excuse for the vices of those who are useful or agreeable to us.
THE foundation of pride is the wish to respect one’s self, whatever others may think; the mainspring of vanity is the craving for the admiration of others, no matter at what cost to one’s self-respect.
We can’t spend our whole lives reading ‘sustaining books’ whilst others work their fingers to the bone around us. In the Christian Life we cannot be Martha or Mary (Luke 10.38-42)[3] we must needs be both!
Like Christopher Robin and Pooh, we should learn to be slow to complain – “You didn’t exactly miss,” – and quick to apologise – “I’m so sorry,”. Having done this and ensured harmony in the Body of Christ, we can take aim again and have another go at the real problem instead of beating up each other.
Suffolk Vicar 