Thoughts for the Day

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise....
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and let your ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek out your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Frequently when we are busy in life we give little thought to God. Times like our teenage years when we are exploring life with friends, or later when we find a loved one, or even later when children come along and life gets even busier. Obviously this doesn't happen to everyone, and sometimes being sick, or having children brings us closer to God. But for most of us there are times when we are close to God and other times when we ignore Him'. As a parish priest I have long accepted that is how things are, and learnt not to push people when their busy life has taken over.

The current thinking is that we need at least six good experiences concerning God before we turn to faith. These might be anything from a Christian offering help when we need it, or a good experience at a wedding service in church. These experiences are things that make us think about God, and will often lead us to wanting to find out for ourselves whether there is anything in religion for us. So times away from God can mean we are still growing in faith.

Another way of thinking of such times when we have pushed God away, is to realise that God uses them to seek us out. Then when we turn back to Him, perhaps because life has suddenly become difficult He is there waiting for us, and is ready to respond.

Heavenly Father,
help us to be honest with ourselves,
an accept that frequently we allow life
to get in the way of our relationship with You.
Seek us out when we stray
and bring us back to You,
so that we may continue
to grow in faith.
Amen.