 Great advice from Paul this week. Jesus never meant for the season leading up to the celebration of his birth to be so mad. He came that we might have life not chaos. So as you rush around trying to do all those things that might seem for now to be important, but are really not, let me encourage you to take some time out to stop and be still and know that he is God. Paul is writing to encourage the Christians at Philippi for their faithfulness and to urge them not to take their eye off the ball. In the madness of our everyday life it is easy also for us to take our eye off the ball. Best then that we should remember to take Paul’s advice. “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If its peace you’re looking for you can’t do much better than this. Till next time..... Andrew Readings How are your preparations going? Are you ready for Christmas yet? Will your celebrations run like a smoothly oiled machine or will they be chaotic all the way through until you manage to collapse in a heap on Boxing day? The bigger question is, were Jesus to return tomorrow, would you be ready? Is your relationship with the Lord all it should be or does chaos reign supreme? In our Gospel, John the Baptist’s ministry was to prepare peoples hearts and make them ready to receive the Lord. Our collect this week reminds us that God has given us his Spirit to do the work of preparing our hearts for the coming of the Lord. It’s a wonderful prayer, but don’t pray it unless you ae willing to be changed. Go on, pray it with me, I dare you! “God of our salvation, you straighten the winding way of our hearts and smooth the paths made rough by sin: keep our hearts watchful in holiness, and bring to perfection the good you have done in us.” If you ask him in faith, you won’t be disappointed. Open your heart, it’s worth it, you’ll see! Till next time. Andrew Readings |
Rev. Andrew SmithVicar of Light in the Hills |