Thought For The Week 13 March 2022

As I write this, the virus we have spent so much time and energy protecting ourselves against over the last two years has finally  arrived on our shores and in our town.

It is a time of great uncertainty and concern for many of us. If you’re anything like me, then the background level of stress makes the ordinary, everyday ups and downs of life that much more difficult to manage. On top of that, our hearts go out to the people of the Ukraine as they suffer at the hands of an unjust invader.

Today Brent and I were at our local Presbyterian Ministers’ cluster in Geraldine, where we met, shared, and prayed together. It was a special time. Many of us are facing times of trial. Many of our churches are.

Rev. Johanna Warren from Hakatere Parish in Ashburton shared the following passage from Isaiah 35:

“The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.”

God promises us that even in the desert place, life will bloom. The message: “This too shall pass.”

So when the state of the world is getting you down. When the burdens of this life seem just too heavy, I encourage you to remember: This too shall pass. Abundant life is on the way. God brings new life, even in the desert.

Many blessings,

Rory