Thought for the Day - Thursday 8 October

Thought for the Day – Thursday 8th October ‘To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life.’ (Colossians 1: 29) So, if as we have been talking about this week we are to do all this caring for God’s creation and everything in it then surely there is one thing we must also do in order to be able to do just that and that is take care of ourselves. How strong are you physically? Maybe you could be a contender on the ‘World’s Strongest Man/Woman’ or maybe like me you sometimes find it hard to even pick up a heavy bag of shopping or an overfilled suitcase (if we remember what they are during our time of Lockdown!) Maybe you could easily pull a lorry along while some of us – me included – find it hard at times to even pull off the lid of a tin can to get into the contents! How strong are you mentally? Do you find it easy to face each day or do you dread each new day. Are you beginning to get weary of being in Lockdown, weary of being on your own, do you find yourself longing for some sort of normality to return to life and for some sort of human companionship to be restored. How strong are you spiritually? I know we are all missing being together and worshipping together and hearing God’s word for our lives but are we still managing to ‘feed our souls’ and ‘keep our faith’ strong by spending time with God each day, praying to him, looking to his word, listening for his voice. If we are not feeling strong within ourselves physically, mentally or spiritually then how can we ever expect to fulfil our task of looking after all creation – it will indeed become a toil and a struggle. When we feel our strength depleted in any way we always have access to the power of God or as Paul describes it ‘the mighty strength of Christ’. We may never be able to lift those heavy weights or pull a lorry but through faith we can move mountains! We can take on things with impossible odds, we can persevere whenever in adversity, we can help to shape lives and even transform the world – of course, not in our won strength, but in the strength of God who is our constant helper. I suppose we could say this is a different sort of power and strength, not one we can get through going to the gym or through exercise, but ultimately this is a greater power and strength, greater than any other because it comes from the very person who brought creation into being in the first place. So if we are feeling depleted of our strength in any way, physically, mentally or spiritually we should turn to God first, for we should never underestimate what God can do and never, ever forget what he can do through us – even in our weakness or weariness or brokenness. Prayer Creator God, This is your garden, a thing of beauty beyond understanding, a poem that is being written not in words, but in colours, wind’s whisper, soaring bird, snowdrop’s petal, gentle rain, sunlight’s warmth. This is your garden, Lord, a thing of beauty beyond understanding, may we strive to look to you always for the strength we need to take care of your world and everything in it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.