Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
John 14: 1, 27 ‘Jesus’ Words of Peace’
1 Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.
The Mere Pond in Knutsford, Cheshire
I discovered the other day that the word ‘worry’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon, meaning ‘harm’ and is another form of the word ‘wolf’. So ‘worry’ is something harmful, that bites and tears as a wolf mangles a sheep. We obviously need to think ahead and plan for our lives and there are undoubtedly times when we need to be aware of danger because it prompts the necessary action to prevent harm to ourselves and others. But worry has the opposite effect, it paralyses us and demotivates us. It distracts our thoughts and obscures our vision.
The whole world is in turmoil at the moment as a result of the Covid-19 virus and the temptation to worry is there for all of us – but worry won’t achieve anything positive. Jesus himself asked: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matt.6:27). He told us, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ … Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matt.6:31-34)
There’s a story about an old man struggling along, bent double by the weight of the sack he was carrying. He was met by an angel who enquired what was in the sack. “My worries,” replied the man. “Let me see them,” said the angel but when the sack was opened up it was empty. The man was astonished and said he had two great worries; one was about yesterday, which he now saw was past; and the other was about tomorrow, which had yet to arrive. The angel told him he no longer needed the sack and he gladly threw it away, going on his way unburdened and upright.
Jesus says to us, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. I give you my own peace, a peace the world cannot give. This is my gift to you.” With that wonderful gift we have no need to worry.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for your gift of peace. We know that you are with us at all times and that no matter how challenging, even impossibly hard, the moments may seem to us, you will give us the strength, courage and humour to bear whatever comes. With your peace in our hearts we need never worry or be afraid. In Jesus name, Amen.
Image, Reflection and Prayer © 2020 Ann Caffyn.
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All material reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356