No Services until after 23 September
~ contingent on restrictions ~
Our Services when we can meet in person:
Sundays @ 9.30am Holy Communion — Main Church
Wednesdays @ 10.30am Said (short) Communion — Historic Church
19 September — 3rd Sunday of the Month @ 5pm — OPEN SPACE
~ contingent on restrictions ~
Our Services when we can meet in person:
Sundays @ 9.30am Holy Communion — Main Church
Wednesdays @ 10.30am Said (short) Communion — Historic Church
19 September — 3rd Sunday of the Month @ 5pm — OPEN SPACE
Vicar's Reflection
Doubt sees the obstacles...
James 1:5-8
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and it will be given you.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like
a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind;
for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way,
must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Doubt sees the obstacles...
James 1:5-8
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and it will be given you.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like
a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind;
for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way,
must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
On the surface, these verses from James 1 indicate that doubt is the gravest sin, or the polar opposite of faith, but many who have reflected on faith conclude that its opposite is fear. Fear is paralysing. And while doubt may indeed, as James writes, have you tossing and turning, there is still some energy in it to seek out a way, positively a way in faith, negatively an escape from the conflict or issue. Positively, doubt can be used to question and clarify, to expand one's understanding and not to fall into gullibility.
However, we walk by faith, not by sight. We are certain that God is good, but we do not always know the shaping of that goodness in God’s will. We believe God will guide us in the right paths, but unsure what those paths may be. We have many stories of those who approached Jesus in hope. They did not know exactly what he could do or would do, but they were drawn by his goodness and love.
Writing this in lockdown number 6 and on a day when case numbers have again risen, faith in the future is shaken. Will we ever get back to normal? Are we going to have to adjust to a brave new world? Where is God in this? Is there something God is trying to say through this pandemic? Is it judgment? Are we in the last times? It can feel like the rug is pulled out from beneath us, from our familiar ground.
Years ago I remember seeing a church highway poster that said, Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. In these times we can be overwhelmed by the news and feel like that wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Faith does not prevent us from being knocked around in the storm, but clings to God believing the calm will come.
James counsels us to pray to God for wisdom. Wisdom could be considered an opposite reaction to fear. Instead of reacting, we pause and think it all through. Will we understand everything? Probably not. But we may find ourselves in a better position to wait in patience and to be at peace.
God be with you,
Jennie
However, we walk by faith, not by sight. We are certain that God is good, but we do not always know the shaping of that goodness in God’s will. We believe God will guide us in the right paths, but unsure what those paths may be. We have many stories of those who approached Jesus in hope. They did not know exactly what he could do or would do, but they were drawn by his goodness and love.
Writing this in lockdown number 6 and on a day when case numbers have again risen, faith in the future is shaken. Will we ever get back to normal? Are we going to have to adjust to a brave new world? Where is God in this? Is there something God is trying to say through this pandemic? Is it judgment? Are we in the last times? It can feel like the rug is pulled out from beneath us, from our familiar ground.
Years ago I remember seeing a church highway poster that said, Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. In these times we can be overwhelmed by the news and feel like that wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Faith does not prevent us from being knocked around in the storm, but clings to God believing the calm will come.
James counsels us to pray to God for wisdom. Wisdom could be considered an opposite reaction to fear. Instead of reacting, we pause and think it all through. Will we understand everything? Probably not. But we may find ourselves in a better position to wait in patience and to be at peace.
God be with you,
Jennie
