Carol Purves

‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.’ 2 Timothy 4:7

Obviously this is not something that we can say until the end of life. As we don’t know when that will be we can only cay ‘we have fought the good fight up till now. This proves yet again that life is a battle, but not a battle we have to fight alone. Praise God for that.

Practise hospitality. Romans 12:12

I was interested in the use of the word ‘practise.’ This means we have to keep on doing it, in order to get better at it. I also think it means giving hospitality to people to whom you wouldn’t expect to give it. It would include the meals we give at church to the hostel residents, the open cafe we have for people who need a bit of company. Offering a coffee to the person on their own down the road.

There are so many opportunities, we just need to practice it, so we may be entertaining angels unaware. I like that.

‘You are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.’ 1 Corinthians 12:27

I’ve always known that we are all a part of the whole and we need to play our different parts in the Christian life. I’m now beginning to realise that our roles change as life progresses.

When I was lounger I was involved in Sunday School work, youth camps and the active life of the church. As I became older I was taking part on committees and decision making roles.

Now in the latter part of may life, my physical work is at a minimum and I’m more fully involved in the prayer life of the church. There is no part which has been the more important. It’s a matter of being where God wants me to be, when He wants me to be.

Jesus said ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God. ‘John 11:40

Jesus said this at the time of the death of Martha’s brother. I find it difficult to understand why Jesus delayed raising him from the death, but read that it was so we could believe.

In typical human fashion Martha had to find someone to blame. Jesus was the one who fell to her wrath because of His delay. As I ponder what this teaches us, I conclude it must be to have faith and therefore see the glory of God.

‘I press on towards the prize for which God has called me homewards in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:14

As I’m in my 80’s I feel I’m nearly there, though more and more people seem to be living to 100. I can still be used by God, mostly praying these days and hoping I have the aroma of Christ about me.

‘God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19

I note that God will satisfy my every ‘need’, not my every ‘want.’ Often they are not the same thing. I want things that are not good for me, but God loves me too much to let me have them.

‘The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.’ Psalms 19:1

The sky is always there whatever the weather. Most times we don’t think about it or look at it. We do look if it indicates approaching rain or it is ‘wall to wall’ blue. Like God it’s always there, but forgotten. So sad in both cases.

‘Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.’ Romans 12:16

I don’t find the last part difficult. Don’t believe I’m particularly proud or conceited and I mix with all types of people. The difficulty I find is to always live in harmony. I find it difficult to understand why people do not believe in God or dismiss His existence. There is so much evidence and I fear for their final destination.

‘He took the children in His arms and blessed them.’ Mark 10:16

In Biblical time, children were unimportant in society. When numbers of people were listed, women and children were not included in the figures. The disciples must have been so amazed that Jesus placed such an importance on children. Our youth pastor always puts always puts children and young people first. If I’m talking to him and a young person comes along, he stops being with me and give all his attention to the youngster.

‘The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. ‘ 1 Corinthians 11:25

Just look at the mess this world is in. It seems we can’t negotiate Brexit. The States are in a mess. Every country in Europe has problems. In many many countries their is persecution of Christians. The list could go no.

Mankind has made an absolute disaster of running the world. We so need that higher power. As the text says His wisdom and strength is so much better than ours.