|
As I write Easter is
almost on us. Images come to mind of joyful Easter hymns, a church
crammed with beautiful spring flowers and joyful congregations praising
God for his resurrection. Christ is risen indeed, Hallelujah!
To gardeners Easter
is seen as a time to catch up on jobs that need doing. This year it’s
early but folk will still be thinking of planning seed potatoes, some
still need to plant their onions and in potting sheds and greenhouses
seedlings of all kinds are being prepared to go out into the garden as
soon as the danger of frost is gone. Everything is changing as the dead
looking spikes of winter turn green and burst with energy and life.
Spring brings change
we like, probably because it is one that we are used to, probably too,
because dark gives way to light and death to life. However not all
change is so welcome especially when we do not know what the outcome is
to be. We like the security of familiarity. It helps us to feel safe.
Church, for many,
offers both security and familiarity. The beautiful old building and the
services play a part in this and can be a great comfort in times of
national and personal stress. The people of Radford Semele will,
understandably, have felt a sense of loss at the sight of their burnt
out church for so long a familiar landmark in their community.
Yet despite all of
this we are part of a religion that is about change and transformation.
Christianity is a living faith committed to transforming the lives of
individuals and communities. If this does not happen stagnation and
decay set in, vision disappears and faith withers.
Mary’s despair
turned to joy on Easter morning when she realised that Jesus was still
alive. She embraced Jesus and would have remained clinging to him in the
garden but he would have none of it. “Do not hold on to me…go instead to
my brothers and tell them”. Gently and lovingly Mary was released from
her embrace and sent off to inform others of what had happened. There
was no way Mary could keep Christ to herself in comfortable isolation.
Change lay ahead!
We celebrate Easter,
Christ’s resurrection, his change from death to life. Soon we recall
another change from earth to Heaven as we mark the Ascension. Our God is
a God of change, a God who encourages to us leave the comfortable, the
known and move into the uncomfortable, the unknown. Change is exiting,
exhilarating and scary but it is at the core of our faith. Are up for
change in your life, in your church? You should be!
John Horton
|