Your Feet Beside My Own On The Way
Your Feet Beside My Own
‘Lead, Kindly Light … Your feet beside my own
on the Way.’
Audrey Assad
On opening it was a delightfully bright card
which included the loveliest words of encouragement and appreciation from a
parishioner who has been listening to the online services we have made
available during this last year. I was quietly gob-smacked.
Sadly, handwritten to me sometimes means complaining and unkind.
Who knew someone was listening?
That of course is the problem with on-line
ministry, it becomes an offering sent into the wherever, and the harder part is
to quietly accept that it was simply that,
an offering.
A former rector of mine would have excelled in
this digital age because he wisely refused to comment on the sermons I offered.
His view was that it was offered, and that should be enough.
Indeed. And, thank-you for the Thank You.
Teach me, my God and King,
in all things Thee to see,
and what I do in anything,
to do it as for Thee.’
I was greatly struck by Herbert’s sense that
God could be in all things and was with us; even through the mundane and
domestic tasks that often characterize our daily life.
‘Teach me, my God and king, in all things,
Thee to see.’
It has encouraged me to look for
encouragements from God, even in the daily toil; those thankless jobs, the
peeling of potatoes for the family meal, the loading and unloading of the
dishwasher, the making of beds, the hanging out of laundry. God is able to be
with me in those things, even as I learn to do them as a gift for the family.
Usually. Sometimes I’m not so thoughtful; more hurried and frazzled perhaps.
‘This song is like walking through pristine snow at sunrise. Exquisite.’ Indeed.
‘Lead, kindly Light, amidst the grey and gloom
The night is
long and I am far from home
Here in the
dark, I do not ask to see
The path
ahead-one step enough for me
Lead on, lead on, kindly Light.’
I was not
ever willing to be led
I could have
stayed, but I ran instead In spite of fear,
I followed
my pride My eyes could see,
but my heart
was blind
Lead on,
lead on, kindly Light.
And in the
night, when I was afraid
Your feet
beside my own on the way
Each
stumbling step where other men have trod
Shortens the
road leading home to my God
Lead on,
lead on, My God,
My God, Lead
on, lead on, Kindly Light.’
Do listen to
Audrey Assad’s setting. You won’t be disappointed. The music is light and
winsome,
but I’m
drawn not only to the reminder of all who have trod the way before us, but
especially to the reminder that Jesus, the Kindly Light as Newman refers to
Him, is willing to place His feet beside ours, as we follow the Way.
The words of today’s Gospel give us an extaorordinary insight into the lengths Jesus went to in order win our salvation for us, and allow Him to walk with us through this life. IN days before His crucifixion, Jesus spoke to His own father about the struggle he endured, and His commitment to Glorify His Father’s name. He would not walk away from all that was to be done for us. Although the crowd listening often misunderstood His purpose, on this occasion hearing God’s response to Him as thunder, he reminded them and us, that He is the Light of the World.
It’s true, that often we forget to value having light, until there is none. He told His listeners to walk while they had the light, and to believe in the Light, while they have it., so becoming children of light. This year we’re focusing at St John’s and Kiltermon on Discipleship, ... put simply, it’s the commitment to walk on with Jesus.
We are deeply privileged to know something of Jesus at all. He made that possible through His death on the Cross for us. He is willing to be Light in our lives , through what at times can be something of the Psalmist’s dark valley, and we benefit greatly to obey those words first said to the crowd that day, that we should walk with Him and believe on Him, while the Light is yet with us.
His Kindly Light is all the assurance we need in this life as we journey home.
‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all people to myself.’ 33 He
said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. The
crowd spoke up, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain for
ever, so how can you say, “The Son of Man must be lifted up”? Who is this “Son of
Man”?’35 Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the
light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before
darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are
going. 36 Believe in the light while
you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’ When he had finished
speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.’
Dates For Your Diary
‘Discipleship is the ongoing decision to shape your life in the Way of Jesus.’
Thursday 22 April, Thursday 5 May,
Tuesday 1 June, Tuesday 22 June.
Our guest encouragers include Claire Holmes, formerly a SAMS mission partner who served for twenty three years in Paraguay; Kate Doherty, former Head Mistress of the Collegiate Grammar School, and someone who holds a committed interest in the work of Operation Rescue, and Rev’d John Rutter, formerly Rector of Crumlin and Glenavy, and one time senior Curate colleague of mine in Bangor Parish.
All three are great encouragers and we are very pleased at their willingness to share their time with us.
This series of online evenings is planned to
help us in this season as we consider our discipleship.
Put simply, discipleship is the ongoing
decision to shape your life in the Way of Jesus. Do join us by requesting the
zoom link from the parish office.
Arts and Craft Evening ‘God In All Things.’
Monies raises
for SmileTrain
cleft palete charity:
A £5 donation
is suggested.
How did you use your gifts during lockdown?
God willing, and Arts and Crafts Evening is
planned for 8pm on Wednesday 12th April, online.
You’re very welcome to join us as we share handcraft successes and failures (?). Guest speakers include Beverley Weir with watercolours and a recent children’s book, Mamie Alexander on the renewed interest in arranging with dried flowers, and Michele Magee and guest from Knit Pray Love prayers and sewing ministry with some new knitted children’s toys. Other pop-up speakers are invited; if you have something you would like to share, let us know.
Sunday School, Church Lads Brigade and GFS
continue to meet successfully online.
There is a full report from GFS below. Also,
Church Lads are meeting as two age based groups, with important input from
Victoria Jackson Company Captain, and leaders from the Company locally.
Sunday School met again on Sunday 21st March. Packs of craft ideas, quizzes, Bible stories and worksheets were hand delivered to 53 households, along with a flower for Mothering Sunday and an easter egg. We are amazed and delighted to know that 100 children and young people have registered for this ministry; and we are deeply appreciative that leaders across children’s and young peoples’ ministry are trying to continue their work in these very changed times.
Comments
Post a Comment