The sea is so wide!

Protect me, dear Lord!
My boat is so small,
And your sea is so big
(Bretton fisherman's prayer)

The above is one of my favourite prayers. I am fond of the short ones that go straight to the heart of the matter.

Debs and I watched Fiddler on the Roof last Sunday. A film that always moves me. The final scene is a definite "ending" as all the lead characters of the film have been driven out of their village. They are leaving mainly on foot. Finally, Terkel looks back and sees the Fiddler playing his tune on the road behind him...

As I watched that ending, this time, a fleeting thought went through my head, how lucky am I that I have never had to journey at short notice into the unknown. Travelling with only that which I could carry.

To be a stranger in a strange land, as Moses was, as so many people are (even now), is a vulnerable scary thing. When we travel we rely so often on strangers. Dependant on their goodwill and hoping to God that they will not show us ill will. Fear is something that people have to deal with. Hope is something that they definitely need to hold onto.

The only way to cope with change is to embrace it. I know it's not easy.

People sometimes have said to me "it's easier for you because you have faith" - it doesn't feel easier but maybe it actually is!

However, even though brought up in a Christian church, I don't consider that I really believed in God until I was given the gift of faith. Yes I do mean given! As in getting a present from someone. I remember someone praying for me, saying "please give Simon the gift of faith"

So I see faith as within God's gifting to give somebody. We need to be bold enough to recognise this. And to ask. A relationship with God is possible.

If we are facing uncertainty then that is the time to ask, to even plead with God. God is our rock and our stronghold, he gives us peace and hope in times of difficulty. Step up to meet him. Be the one to move towards him. As it says in the scripture "when you seek him, when you seek him with all your heart, then you will find him"

Dear Jesus, I pray that I may come to know you. Please increase the gift of faith within me. Bless me today and always. Amen

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you

The Watchman Blog has been silent through out September. To be truthful my thoughts have been elsewhere for a while following a bereavement. But it is time to write again now I think...

The last month has shown me God's capacity to touch our lives even in someone's dying moments. Our God reaches down to touch us when we call to him. He is ever present and ever loving. We make ourselves absent to him sometimes. But that can be mainly through the distraction of every day life but only very occasionally through deliberate intent.

God is love and he commands us also to love, to "live a lovers life" in all purity. Sometimes it seems difficult to love. But the commandment is about us changing our way of life to that which makes us more whole.
Love.

Love nourishes us in our Spirit.

The commandment to Love is a command to live out love in our lives. To love God, to love our neighbour, to love ourselves. Although it is a commandment it is actually "best policy" advice from our creator about how to have a full and happy life. Choose love and you will find joy and peace. Choose hate and you will feel forever jagged. It is a daily choice.

Think about Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) words quoted below :

"If you wish,  you can keep the commandments, to behave faithfully is within your power. He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer.  Man has life and death before him; whichever a man likes better will be given him. For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing. His eyes are on those that fear him, he notes every action of man. He never commanded anyone to be Godless he has given no one permission to sin."

Peace to your hearts this day!

My prayer is that you may be blessed this day to the core of your being. That God will be evident to you. May you come to know peace. Amen