Looking out of my window I can see heavy rain mixed with hailstones falling and the newly budded branches of the willow tree are slowly turning white. Only yesterday I was sitting outside in the warm sunshine watching bees buzz around the garden. How easily things can change within a short space of time.
Weather is changeable at any time of the year but so too is human nature. During the pandemic we have seen many acts of kindness where people have walked that extra mile to help their neighbours. We have seen the dedication of workers in our NHS and in the care service. Unfortunately, we have also seen examples of selfish behaviour where large gatherings have vandalised public property, attacked the police and left our parks and beaches littered with rubbish.
Yet despite pandemic problems and the political posturing of world leaders there is a great hope for the future. When Jesus was on the earth He gave us clear examples of how to live our daily lives and reminded us that the two most important rules we should follow are that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind and we should love our neighbour as ourselves. How much happier we would all be if we could live by those rules.
Jesus also reassured His disciples that He would return to the earth and be with faithful believers. He said ‘I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also’ (John 14 v 3). It is this promise that can give us hope even in the darkest of days. We know from reading the bible that Jesus will return and bring peace to the earth. A verse from one of our hymns reminds us of that wonderful hope for the future.
‘Rejoicing in hope and the joy of salvation,
Father, we thank Thee Thy kingdom draws near;
Shadows of dread brood above every nation,
Dark is the night, but the vision is clear.’
Jesus knew that His disciples would face difficult times after His death and resurrection. We may have to face difficult times but we too can be encouraged by the words of Jesus to His disciples.
‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14 v 27)