Sunday 21st June

So … I’ve tried writing down my thoughts to share with you – turns out it’s harder than you think! The past 12 weeks have been an unusual time to say the least but one that I have loved. I have had chance to slow down and time to think, meditate on Gods word and see where He is challenging me and directing me.
During these times we’ve all had to make changes to how we do things and for some life almost stopped and having to rely on strangers for their everyday goods. It’s been interesting to see how things have adapted. We as a life group, like others, have been meeting up on Zoom. we decided to study the book of Joshua and it has been amazing to see God’s hand and provision for them and that He kept His promises.
One of the things that struck me was they were in the wilderness in exile from Egypt to learn from the mistakes of their past. Maybe this is God’s way of making us stop, to look at our mistakes and our past and see where we went wrong as individuals, as families and as a church. Maybe we needed to be thrown into chaos to realise we need to be wholehearted in our walk and relationship with God.

We read in Joshua 22:

⁴ Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as He promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.⁵ But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands,to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

This stuck with me and has been a challenge to how I will face life after the lockdown is lifted. Will I just go back to doing life at the bear minimum, doing the 9-5 job and just going to church on a Thursday and Sunday? Or will I wear my heart on my sleeve? Will I let God direct my path being unashamed of who I am in Him? I Am a Child of God. A sinner saved by grace. Is it time that my life reflected that? And like the Israelites longing to come out of the wilderness into the promised land, am I longing to make it across the line into my inheritance as a Child of God?

I’ve chosen a few songs, some of them new but some for just meditating on the words. One thing I’ve loved is walking into the sitting room with Mum and Gran listening to the good old hymns and it might shock some but I miss them! The words are incredible. I hope you take time to meditate on the words of the songs and not just the melody.
Matt

Thanks to Matt for his thoughts this morning – I’m really grateful to everyone who has made a contribution in recent months. I’m still desperate for more though so please get in touch on kath.erwin@ccchurch.org.uk if you have something to share with the church.
Martin Erwin was due to preach at Challenge this Sunday and he has recorded this message about Psalm 8 especially for us today.
Enjoy – and thanks, Martin!