Week Five – How do we keep going?

Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark. 11. 22-24

Have you noticed that children and young people fall over but when you get past a certain age you have a fall. It is as if we become a different type of person as we age. We are no longer seen as those who will change to world but those whose era is over. And yet our combined wisdom far outstrips the young. Not the wisdom for new innovative technology but the wisdom that really understands life in all its fullness.

We have experienced enough changes, disasters and setbacks to realise that  everything is redeemable. Failed exams do not mean a failed life. A broken relationship does not mean we will never love again. A bitter and violent conflict will not last forever. So, we are able to share our experience and wisdom with those younger than us.

We are often, however, not good at listening to our own advice. We fear the loss of a physical or mental ability means we no longer have anything to offer. We tend to shy away from changes that make us uncomfortable. Or we may feel that we can no longer indulge ourselves with dreams about our future desires.

Jesus, however, encourages us to believe, to have faith that what we desire is achievable. Maybe not, if your desire is to compete at this year’s Olympics. If your deepest dreams are for a future filled with reconciliation, contentment, spiritual fulfilment or a closer relationship with our loving Lord, then Jesus’ words encourage us to ask for this in prayer and then it will be yours.

With all my love and prayers for a continuing fruitful and blessed Lent,

Revd Sandra

Prayer: Steadfast Lord, please strengthen in me the gift of faith that I may trust that my prayers will be fulfilled, that I may perceive your gentle hand guiding my future, that I may truly know that ultimately all shall be well. Amen