Day 10 – Issue 11

Be Still Know

1 Peter 4:8 NLT

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

I recently took a short three-day break on the lovely Island of Guernsey to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We deliberately chose to stay on the exceptionally quiet north-west coast, since we relax best with wonderful sea views and stunning coastal walks. The hotel I was able to find last minute was, it turned out, a favourite of older people, and we were among the youngest even at our advancing ages!

Two things struck me as we sat and listened to many people chat together. Firstly, there was so much criticism and disappointment expressed in table talk, with many of the conversations focusing on life’s negatives. Despite relatively good health and the opportunity to be part of a coach holiday, so many of these people perceived life from a ‘glass half empty’ perspective.

The second thing was that a good number of these folk were on their own, something that became more apparent after breakfast. These singles were left to fend for themselves, and my respect for the hotel staff grew by the day as the loneliness led many to spend a great deal of time engaging busy staff in conversation. Rather than seeing this as an interruption to their work, they each kindly took time to make space and affirm the dignity of each person. What’s more, the staff were from other European nations and working long hours for low pay and little long-term security. The challenge to me was to consider how I managed interruptions.

When God put Adam and Eve out of Eden, they were uniquely aware of their isolation. Yet, God’s plan as it unfolded throughout history was to reveal that God can be known through relationship with other fractured humans. In an age in which independence of thought and action are prized, we have too often lost sight of the benefit of loving others as indeed God loves us. Christian community is an essential element in the effective communication of the love of God in a fragmenting society such as our own.

QUESTION: Do you find yourself more naturally critical or affirming of others?

PRAYER: Father, grow within me a grateful heart that sees the blessings before the burdens and sees the person before the problem. 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright C 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Wheaton, Illinois 60189 USA. All rights reserved.