The Vicar's "Two Penn'orth"
November 2020:
Keeping Hope Alive
in Troubled Times
Keeping Hope Alive
in Troubled Times
Rev Paul, Vicar of Hoylake writes ...
But he said to me, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
As we approach the season of Advent, there’s no doubt many people are struggling with what this pandemic has thrown at us - many are grieving the loss of friends and family. In many people there is a feeling of powerlessness: How can we fight this invisible enemy?
The human spirit can be destroyed by the enforced isolation and resulting loss of human companionship. For example, a hug can mean so much, a handshake or the reassuring touch of a friend. As people, we often try and ignore these feelings and try to keep going until, sadly, depression begins to get hold of our lives.
Sometimes we have to face our fears and name them, and despite it being hard, pick up the phone, and talk about how we feel to a trusted friend. Yes, it’s difficult over the phone - but not impossible. What astounds me in this Christian journey is that our weaknesses can become our strength. I know that sounds strange, but it is not really so.
Human experience of loss and illness and hard times are a rich resource to others. I am reminded of those wonderful words from 1 Peter 3-15:
The human spirit can be destroyed by the enforced isolation and resulting loss of human companionship. For example, a hug can mean so much, a handshake or the reassuring touch of a friend. As people, we often try and ignore these feelings and try to keep going until, sadly, depression begins to get hold of our lives.
Sometimes we have to face our fears and name them, and despite it being hard, pick up the phone, and talk about how we feel to a trusted friend. Yes, it’s difficult over the phone - but not impossible. What astounds me in this Christian journey is that our weaknesses can become our strength. I know that sounds strange, but it is not really so.
Human experience of loss and illness and hard times are a rich resource to others. I am reminded of those wonderful words from 1 Peter 3-15:
But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
When we share our experiences, and how we have got through a difficult patch, we give hope to others. When we give hope we remind others what our faith is all about - even in the smallest things hope is important, hope for healing, hope for the end of this pandemic and of course Christian hope as we look to our eternal future. No matter what difficulties we face Jesus is still here, he still died for us, and he still lives!
St Paul in 2 Corinthians speaks of his thorn in his side, and asks God to remove it. God answers him but not in the way you would think - he speaks rather of the Grace to withstand it, and that wonderful verse ‘for my power is made perfect in weakness’. This is not the kind of language we hear today; we are much more likely to hear the opposite that power is all important.
Actually, power can be found in weakness: Keeping going through the difficult times strengthens us and through Grace we overcome.
Together we are strong: Just because we can’t meet right now, doesn’t mean we are any the less as a community; in fact in many ways we are even stronger. I say this because to stay in touch, we have to make a big effort, and consciously think about and pray for each other. It’s been good to see our Ministry Team grow as we have welcomed Richard. He has been a great blessing to us already and in the weeks of Advent will lead us in an Advent course on Zoom - who would have thought!
The promise of a vaccine is close, so hold on and thank God for all he has done for us and continues to do; and each day, find something to be thankful for in a world that is suffering. The great Prophet Jeremiah 33:11 says:
St Paul in 2 Corinthians speaks of his thorn in his side, and asks God to remove it. God answers him but not in the way you would think - he speaks rather of the Grace to withstand it, and that wonderful verse ‘for my power is made perfect in weakness’. This is not the kind of language we hear today; we are much more likely to hear the opposite that power is all important.
Actually, power can be found in weakness: Keeping going through the difficult times strengthens us and through Grace we overcome.
Together we are strong: Just because we can’t meet right now, doesn’t mean we are any the less as a community; in fact in many ways we are even stronger. I say this because to stay in touch, we have to make a big effort, and consciously think about and pray for each other. It’s been good to see our Ministry Team grow as we have welcomed Richard. He has been a great blessing to us already and in the weeks of Advent will lead us in an Advent course on Zoom - who would have thought!
The promise of a vaccine is close, so hold on and thank God for all he has done for us and continues to do; and each day, find something to be thankful for in a world that is suffering. The great Prophet Jeremiah 33:11 says:
Give thanks to the LORD of hosts, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! "
Keeping hope alive for each other is our calling - more than ever - and with the Grace that God gives we can do it.
Your friend,
Rev Paul,
Vicar of Hoylake
Vicar of Hoylake
