Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters
20 March 2011
"Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from His fierce anger so that we will not perish" Jonah 3:9
This period of the Church's year … awkward for many … If we take the matter seriously, and as Christians as opposed to simply 'Church goers' we are required so to do, seeks from us a true assessment of what and who we really are in the Light of the Glory of God, and realizing our sinful nature, through word; deed and misplaced action, need to REPENT …turn back from those ways and seek a fresh path in the Lord.
Seeking 'such a path', will confront us with situations for which as mere human beings, we have no ready answer, and as a consequence may well find ourselves giving up the entire exercise as 'a unattainable goal', and revert to what we were … indulgent, sinful souls: weak and misplaced. We succumb to our own wills and find pleasure and security in what we can achieve under our own steam, and pick up the plaudits whether they are justified or not; but whatever, they please us and that, surely, is all that matters?
Who, in their right mind wants to give up the life-style that has 'done us alright up to now and go another way?' What about your response in that Covenant service now so long ago …'I am no longer my own … BUT YOURS?'
Those were, or should not have been, mere words but rather the springboard for action which leads us first into this period of Lent when the muck and dross of our everyday lives is set aside so that we can experience that glory which is of God. For surely, if we are clogged up with a whole lot of self and have a selfish attitude to people and things, then where and how are to have room for God? If we are going to be His people here in this corner of His Vineyard, how can we hope to take on board His Word for us if 'self' has already filled us to the brim and overflowing?
As we walk the walk to Jerusalem, now is the time to look at that excess baggage of self and self indulgence and be prepared to let it go for God's sake!!! Begin to make room NOW to receive the joy, love and spirit of God's renewing power which is our Easter joy.