Hello.
Recently I had both eyes operated on for cataracts; left eye first and later the right. Now I see as through a searchlight, like a switch has been thrown and everything is bathed in light. So before, I guess, I was seeing darkly. It makes me think of life in all its abundance, but we only see what we want to see.
I came across these words the other day; Once a man was asked, “What did you gain by regularly praying to God?” The man replied, “Nothing… but let me tell you what I lost; anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear of death.” Sometimes the answer to our prayers is not gaining but losing; which ultimately is the gain.
During the season of Lent we may have been thinking of the loss – the journey to the Cross – loss in the eyes of mankind, but gain in the eyes of the believer. Good Friday is blasted away by Resurrection Morn.
Do you remember the film Bruce Almighty? Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan, the down-on-his luck reporter, complains to God (played by Morgan Freeman) that he is not doing his job correctly and is offered the chance to try being God himself for one week. Utter chaos ensues. Bruce can’t cope with all the emails he receives. I sometimes think God must be overwhelmed with all the prayer requests he receives but I know He isn’t. He values every one.
Jesus teaches us how to pray in The Lord’s Prayer. This is often rushed through, but if we really think about what we are saying and mean each word, it is a beautiful prayer which says it all.
I am always happy to hear from you and please don’t forget to look at ‘chatsparkbench’. Just type ‘chatsparkbench’ when you are in YouTube. There are two old guys chatting on a park bench about Christianity and its possible meaning. I am never amazed how narrowly some folk view their faith and I seek to open things up with my short videos with my friend Gerry from Ireland; hopefully to see things through a different lens.
‘Bye for now. Happy Easter and God bless you.
Rev Andrew