Thought for the Day – Monday 17th August
‘I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a
dove!’ I would fly away and be at rest…. ’ (Psalm 55: 6)
Well
firstly a huge ‘Thank you’ to Stewart for all his wonderful ‘Thoughts for the
Day’ while I have been on holiday. I know he said in one of his earliest posts
that he felt daunted at first by the prospect of writing a ‘Thought’ for each
day but I am sure you will all agree with me that his words have certainly been
a blessing to us all these last two weeks. Actually I could see each day from
all your ‘Likes’ and ‘Comments’ that you were appreciating his words just as
much as I was as I read them at our home in Largs! So ‘Thank You’ Stewart - I think
I should maybe go on holiday more often!
Well, it
is now back to my ‘Thoughts’ - such as they are after a two week break!
My brother
Drew was and still is in my opinion a lovely singer, often being chosen for
parts in our school Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas and the like. However, I
think, for me, one of his most memorable performances ever was when he was
asked to sing Mendelssohn’s ‘Oh, For the Wings of a Dove’ - a beautiful,
relaxing and evocative song which just so happens to be based on our passage of
scripture for today. I am not sure if you know the song or the words but here
they are:
Oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove
Far away, far away would I rove
Oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove
Far away, Far away, Far away, Far away would I
rove
In the wilderness build me a nest
And remain there forever at rest
In the wilderness build me, build me a nest
And remain there forever at rest
In the wilderness build me a nest
And remain there forever at rest
Forever at rest
Forever at rest
And remain there forever at rest
And remain there forever at rest
Being such
a short repetitive song it does not look much when you see the words only but
when you hear those words sung – and there are many versions on the internet if
you wish to do so – you just feel a sense of calm and restfulness wash over you.
Just take
a moment now and imagine being a white dove flying quietly through the sky and soaring
away to a wonderful place of calm with nothing else around you and building
yourself a nest there and then being at peace - forever.
Such joy!
We all
need to take time to rest and relax – especially at this anxious time of
Covid-19 and as we re-emerge into the world. We need to remember too that God
himself took time on the seventh day to rest and he encourages us to take our
Sabbath rest each week too. He knows rest and relaxation are so good for us and
such times can refresh us, replenish our resources, refocus our thoughts and
most importantly fill up our soul!
I know you
may not feel comfortable taking time away from home at the moment but why not
try and have a time of rest and relaxation each and every day – imagine flying
like that dove and finding rest – that is exactly what the Psalmist is urging
us to do.
Prayer
Here
we are Lord!
We come from the busy-ness of our daily lives,
from the hubbub of our work and play, from the hue and cry of the world around
us to rest in you. We long to settle into the silence, to lay aside our worries
and our cares, aware of your presence around us, before us, behind us, within us. Lord, in our rest, may we feel your
presence surrounding us, enveloping us, loving us and feel at peace – forever. In
Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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