Thought for 2 February

 1 Corinthians 2:9 (New Living Translation)

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

If anyone professing to believe in the Holy Trinity reads today’s offering and is not encouraged or enthused by it, maybe they should seriously contemplate where and how God figures in their life.

When preparing these thoughts or reflections on scripture I find sometimes a fair bit of research and preparation is required but today, the only problem I have is containing the offering to the usual length. 

I wonder if you were asked to compile a ‘top ten’ of the most memorable and meaningful moments in your life, what would you pick?  This list would change as we get older and new experiences would possibly replace those previously chosen.  There are many things that could feature; academic achievements, sporting achievements, meeting the one you love, visiting special places at home or abroad, having children or grandchildren etc. etc.  For most of us, it would probably be difficult restricting this list to only ten and I predict that every one of these lists would be different and appropriate and precious only to each of us as individuals.

On thinking back, I count my blessings in that my parents took me to church and Sunday School when I was very young, I was in the Life Boys and the Boys Brigade, I had Christian teachers at Primary School and Scripture Union at High School.  We all had these opportunities in my lifetime.  Some fell away and never returned, some fell away and returned later in life and some lasted the course but at least, we were given the opportunity to hear about God and all the wondrous things Jesus done.  Whether we accepted this teaching and believed in it is another matter.

When I see the average age of those attending church increasing year on year, it is a real concern that children, not only in this day and age but for decades past have not been receiving the same opportunities to learn about Jesus and the part he could play in their lives, if invited.  I can offer no simple solution to this problem other than for all of us to fervently pray that this change may occur because, with God, we know all things are possible.

To return to our reading and our prepared lists, we find out that God has promised to eclipse many times over, those items we have listed and, unlike ourselves, God never fails to keep a promise.  In reading this passage again, I’ve had to take one item from it and replace it with something that should have been on it the first time.  Maybe you will need to do the same.

Prayer             Heavenly Father we thank you that in this life we have come to know you and love you even, just a little and are just so thankful that you figure in our lives.  When we see the wonders of this world that you have created, it is impossible for us to contemplate what lies before us in the next if it is to be even better.  We pray for those that never hear the Gospel preached and pray that, if it is your will, that this will change.    Amen