Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
13 March 2011
"We put no stumbling-block in anyone's path ..." 2 Corinthians 6:3a
We come again to that period in the Church's year which causes folk to question. Not 'question' for the "reason for the season", but rather why they should do it at all. For above all else, the season is a 'time of questioning', not of someone else, but of ones self.
It's a time when we NEED to ask the most pointed of questions, and search in the darkest of places and clear out the direst of obstructions if we are to come to the climax with any sort of intent or purpose. It is a time when we need to lay our soul bare and say to God, 'cleanse me, for I am unworthy'.
It is a time when we need to realize that we, above everyone else, need to take responsibility for the state of the Kingdom in this corner of God's Vineyard. When we have to ask ourselves 'WHY?' ... Why is the Kingdom not growing as God expects it to through our stewardship of it at this time? Why is this nation of Britain not at the forefront of Christian expression and ideals; when faith means something and values are valued for what they should be? WHY?
These are searching questions ... and they are meant to be ... For the answer to all and each is our attitude to faith and works. YES, OURS.
I have lost count of the number of times I have heard others halt progress of another's way of faith because it fails to comply with what they consider to be 'the way', without a moment's thought that this other person's means of achieving grace is perfectly acceptable to God.
Our witness path is strewn with casualties caused by our blinkered approach to faith ... Our template is the Pharisees and not Christ.
The REAL answer to this 'failed state' is contained within the Word of God, BUT if we continually fail to give time to study it, then we will never be able to help others to see God.
We begin Lent with many questions: maybe they will remain unresolved until we come face to face with the battered body of Christ on the cross; or at His trial or even in the Garden, or maybe on the road to Jerusalem. Whatever and wherever, that time of looking at where we are begins NOW.
'Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full on His wonderful face