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The Big Picture
September 1, 2006
Dear Friends,
For weeks the awful situation in the Middle East dominated
our headlines, only to be joined by the effects of Britain
being put on Critical Alert following the possibility of a
major terrorist attack. It is not always easy to see these
particular events in their right perspective. We can give
them so much attention that we forget that other things are
happening in the world including both good things but also
other ongoing violence, poverty and famine, which gets
pushed into the background. On the other hand we might
become immune to their reality. I heard a very honest
speaker on a Radio Thought for the Day programme,
reflecting on the deaths in Lebanon and Israel and
admitting that his own trip to the dentist that morning was
likely to occupy more of his mind. So often, he said, our
own minor pain/discomfort can so easily become all
consuming that we forget about the needs of others.
As I write this (though the situation will possibly have
changed before you read it) a ceasefire is in place and the
security alert has been downgraded but is still very real.
Some of the politicians have exhorted us to look for the
“Bigger Picture” by which they mean the objectives of those
who plot terror in the world. As Christians, we do look
for the big picture, in fact even bigger, by which we mean
an understanding of God’s purposes from Creation to the
coming of a New Heaven and a New Earth at the end of time.
We live in our present fallen world, knowing that the human
choice to rebel against God does cause tragedy at a
personal, as well as a universal level but we also know the
love and power of God shown in Jesus to bring us back to
our Heavenly Father and offer reconciliation in the world.
Jesus is both our Saviour and our example, for He lived in
this imperfect world, taking the brunt of human evil and
also pouring out God’s love to the individuals He met. We
need to keep looking to Him as our role model and guide.
As we approach Harvest Time we are once again confronted
with a picture of both the wonder, beauty and provision of
this world and the enormous needs that have resulted. This
year we will focus our thoughts on the gift of water and
the importance of that gift for life on earth, as well as
the need for plentiful and clean supplies. The water
shortage in Britain should make us more aware of the
greater plight of others in areas of the world where
walking great distances for water is part of the daily
routine. Our Harvest Thank Offerings will be given for
water project initiatives.
Do join us and invite others for our Harvest Thanksgiving
on Sunday October 1st. In our 10.30am worship we will
include some traditional Harvest Hymns and hear the call to
thankfulness and at 6.30pm there will be a Harvest Café
Evening when we will think more about the gift of water
under the title “What water shortage?” As you will see
from the item later in the Newsletter our Café Evenings are
a wonderful opportunity to reflect on topical matters in an
informal way and invite others to explore issues of faith.
Please do use that opportunity at Harvest time.
With warmest Christian Greetings
Kath Pawlett
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