Spinning out of control?

 

I gather that the earth is spinning faster than before. It’s spin of c.1000mph at the equator has increased. Scientists are considering whether to adjust our clocks by one second. Of course, none of us notices the world spinning, nor our annual journey round the sun, although both have an effect on us.

My head is spinning though, with the massive increases in viral infections and fatalities. Over 1000 deaths in our land in one 24-hour period. The amount of pain and suffering has increased massively in the last ten months and the heightened need for intensive care beds and staff, plus the urgency of the vaccine rollout in the face of a mutating virus can put one on edge.

Faith in God can be a source of stability in our ever-changing world. I know, too, that faith can feel challenged by shocking developments in our lives and in our wider circumstances. When events alarm us, how we need to feel that we are still held within that eternal love which Jesus came to bring to us. His coming among us is light in the darkness, and we are assured that the darkness has not overcome it.

This is the Christmas message and now the season of Epiphany speaks powerfully of that glorious light being shown to the world. The light, of course, is about the thoughts and ideas within our minds, about our basic trust, our way of life, our hope of eternity. There can be a great deal of darkness entering our thoughts with the worldwide pandemic and all the other things which can cause us to wonder what is going on. We have a choice to embrace and live in the light or to let the darkness overcome us. Our faith in God affirms that he has sent his Son, Jesus, to bring life and hope to us all.

I love the canticle called the Benedictus, which speaks of Zechariah’s wonder that God was sending the Saviour. Spiritually, it sets my mind spinning in wonder – in the opposite direction to the other stuff…..

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets God promised of old to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all that hate us,

To show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,  

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1.68–79