by Lyn Oelmann of Cwmbran URC, Nov 2023
Introductory readings: Take a few moments to read Psalms 46 and 121 – psalms, which remind us that God is an ever-present provider of shelter and encouragement.
“God is our refuge and strength.”
Earlier this year I went to the cinema to see The National Theatre Live broadcast of “The Best of Enemies”. The play is a stylistic staging of a landmark TV clash between two opposing US thinkers in the run-up to the 1968 Presidential election between Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. It reflected many of the issues confronting the world and society at that time.
It is self-evident that the intervening years have seen many changes, yet the basic challenges and how to deal with them remain the same. Conflicts, the nuclear proliferation threat, the challenge to our environment, the antagonistic polarisation of opinions and the challenge of how to “share our bread” become ever more pressing.
These are basic issues of fairness, peace and justice which, then and now, continue to confront and challenge us. I came away from the play with the strong feeling that “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. Yet at this time of change and turmoil, of seemingly intractable and continuing challenge, it is important to remember that we have a God who does not change – a God who abides with us through thick and thin. Scripture and our hymns often remind us of this:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)
“O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come”. We have a God who guides and encourages us in our everyday living – a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. A God of whom we can proclaim:
“We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll.”
Some years ago, when taking part in a retreat with my local Churches Together, I was given a small card which I have taken to carrying with me and which sums up the faith and confidence that we sometimes need to be reminded of. The card reads:
“Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that You and I together can’t handle.”
Prayers:
St. Teresa of Avila’s prayer:
“Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you; all things will pass away.
God never changes; patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices. Amen.”
Loving Father, as we come in prayer, help us to bring our laughter, bring our tears, bring our joy and bring our sorrow, bring our hopes and our fears, bring today and bring tomorrow, bring our faith and bring our doubts. Help us to bring all we are, knowing that we will be welcomed in love and with
encouragement.
Help us to journey together as your learning disciples, within family, church, local and global communities, embracing the hope and optimism expressed by Julian of Norwich of being loved by God:
“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well”.
May we know that, in all the changing scenes of life, God is our refuge and strength.
Amen.