Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat”; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have always looked at the local weather forecast a lot - to know if I can cut the grass, or need a raincoat - since the weather changes a lot in Pembrokeshire especially when it comes off the sea. However, a few weeks ago I was a little perturbed when it said it was going to rain all day, but looking out the window I could see it was sunny, with little wind, and was likely to be hot. It didn't make sense! Well, that is, until I looked at my phone again and saw that I had clicked the weather at Manorbier Beach in Wales, when I was actually in Staffordshire! Not very helpful, but I had read the signs correctly, it was not going to rain in the Midlands that day.

In the same way, as Christians, our faith should give us signs that help us to live the life that God wants us to live. It might be easy for us to see how Jesus was warning his listeners what was going to happen in the future - how the Jewish leaders were determined to seek his life, and how false prophets were proliferating. Unfortunately we are often as blind as they were, and we too fail to see where the Holy Spirit is at work in our world, and where we can help. May we pray for wis wisdom today and the courage to step forward and help those in need.

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach us to be as wise
about You and about our faith,
as we are at reading the weather.
May we learn how to be wise
and to seek Your help in everything
that we do this day
and in the future.
Amen.