Thought for the Day - Wednesday 25 November

Thought for the Day – Wednesday 25th November ‘What does the Lord ask of you? To love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6: 8) I have to say I am never happier than when out walking on the fells of the Lake District, or around Cumbrae, or taking ages to walk anywhere with my youngest grandchild or even just walking along the promenade to the Pencil Monument in Largs – I just feel at peace when walking. Somehow when out on a walk, even if you are having to watch where you are putting your feet, your mind clears, you seem to become more relaxed by the fresh air and somehow you just seem to be more focused and able to appreciate the world around you a little bit more. I always think Advent is like a walk – we walk through this familiar season towards the incarnation taking time to stop along the way and value the solitude, taking time to reflect on the Word, to reflect on the world around us, to refocus our thoughts once more on what truly matters and in so doing come to an appreciation of just what God has done for us in coming to earth as a tiny child to live among us. Advent is not always an easy walk, all this reflection can certainly challenge us and our ways, but just as there can be elements of surprise on any walk we undertake, so too can it be for Advent. If we do take this time to stop and reflect and let God sustain us once more I am sure our amazing God will surprise us and bless us along the way. And all God asks of us as we walk, not just through this Advent Season to come, but also through our daily walk of life is to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with him. Advent, with its time for reflection, gives us the opportunity to get back into step with God on our walk of life and fulfil his wish for us that we do indeed ‘love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with him.’ So, get your walking boots on and get ready, for the Advent walk is soon to begin! Prayer Loving God, Walk with us as we prepare our hearts and await the coming of our Lord. Walk with us as we watch for the one who hears our cries and shoulders the suffering of our world. Walk with us as we anticipate the birth of a tiny baby who came to bring wholeness, peace, reconciliation and plenty for all to the world. Walk with us Lord and teach us your ways anew that we might love mercy, act justly and always walk humbly with you. In Jesus, name we pray. Amen.