Dear Friends,
I wonder what the highlight of your week has been?
Maybe you phoned an old friend and caught up, maybe you received a card or letter from someone that surprised you, maybe it was simply getting out to do the shopping or maybe it was a really special time spent in prayer and worship to our amazing God.
My highlight has been keeping in touch with International Justice Mission and being kept informed that despite the global situation their work is still helping to set people free.
Whilst this is encouraging it has raised a darker side of the pandemic. There are people trying to exploit others during this time. Through email scams, domestic violence or sexual abuse we still see that our world remains a dark and dangerous place for so many people.
What would God say in this situation? I am convinced that the God we worship and know through Jesus Christ is one whose heart is for justice. The god we worship calls his people to stand up for those who are hurting and in pain but he also calls us to love our enemies! What a difficult call that is! It is however, important to remember that God doesn’t call us to this action from his place of heaven knowing nothing of pain. God sent Christ into the world to die and take on the sin of the world so ultimate justice may be done. God’s love compels him to action and that love compels the church to be gospel people bringing the good news that despite the darkness, in Jesus love wins.
Can I encourage you this week that whatever darkness you may encounter, whatever difficulties you may face Christ is victorious and he has won the battle. The apostle Paul says ‘We live by faith not by sight’.
A couple of notices for the week ahead …. On Sunday this week at church we have Kate Chyc sharing some of her story from working on the frontline with the NHS. Next week we hope to have Roger Morris the Bishop of Colchester joining us.
On Tuesday we have our home group at 7.30pm on Zoom. Please do join us. Please get in touch if you wish to know how to join.
Wednesday is our regular prayer meeting at 9.30am. Do come along and join us as we meet together.
Finally, can I remind you we are supporting those people who are beneath us in the church directory. Please do pray for those people or households and give them a ring for a chat.
Bless you,
Geoff.