Zetland Park Methodist Church Pastoral Letters

Where does all that time go?

Have you looked recently at your diary for 2006?
I don't for a moment suspect that it contains as many entries as mine does, but nevertheless, I wonder if you too are asking that inevitable question as we stand at the gate of yet another new year, "Where does all that time go?"

It seems to be down to the question, ‘Who rules?’

Childhood:
Remember all those times when in fact 'time' was of no real consequence and you carried on regardless and sought to enjoy every moment of the "God-given" speciality which is life. When golden sand trickled through toes and wind, rain and snow were many a time things to be 'enjoyed'. The games we played among the simple objects in the street or on the beach; the 'challenges' we made to one another as we hurtled from one 'adventure to the next'. When trees were objects of adventure and the sea or the vast moorland places which held so much excitement and mystery. When the very sight of a steam train stopped the heart and begun 'a voyage to distant parts', even although it may have been the nearest big town ….. but, oh the fun. Even Sunday school trips on the train were something to behold.
Teenage years:
Sunday school became a challenge in itself as many of us may well have been by this time, asked to be teachers!! Sharing with others God's great story. But by now it was 'the big school', maybe away to another part of the community or indeed another place with a daily journey by public transport and all which that entailed. For some it was boarding school: now thereby hangs many a tale!! Some too may recall that toward the end of this period in their lives, National Service was the call, and what that did to one's perspective, or even for others, a battlefront of unimaginable consequence. For yet others, the state of marriage beckoned.
Young adulthood:
Was Church now beginning to 'challenge' your very life-style? When you wanted sometimes, or even a many a time to break away from that which your parents had introduced you to? To begin to 'make your own mark on the world' and sometimes that did not involve Church. There may have been new distractions as the world evolved into to eras which brought disbelief to many and families were themselves challenged in so many directions. There may too have been the 'challenge' of family life with all its 'consequences': its disappointments; hurts; pain and partings. Where, can you recall, did you find 'peace'?
Mature years:
The 'thinking and the remembering time' may well have come, and we are challenged again as to what we may have done with that God-given life. As we have recalled the decisions we have been called to make --- both the good/successful and the bad/horrendous -----as we have reflected on opportunities given; taken and enjoyed or just those moments which have been missed. The time given to raise and share with others and the pitfalls; joys and the rest. But where has God been in all this?

I always feel called at this time of year to think about my Christian journey --- all its ups and downs; its good and bad; opportunities taken and those sadly missed. The folk who have 'moved me' and those for whom I pray a lot; the builders and sharers; and those who continue to challenge even today.The constant companion has always been 'The Word of God', but it too has its moments where one is left with many a question which even I, in the position I currently find myself, have difficulty in answering --- but, maybe, that is meant to be part of life's rich pattern.

Throughout our life we have undoubtedly made many a decision, some with far-reaching consequences, but would not the greatest have been to "respond to the Love of God in Christ Jesus?"

Here is another year: learning from the past, how are YOU to use it in God's service?.

Shalom,
Malcolm.
December 2005