‘A promise of good times to come’
Greetings,
A further contribution from the honorary chaplaincy team today in this time of the first anniversary of lockdown.
This is from Revd Alan McGougan, honorary United Reformed Church Chaplain:
This photo is one I took during the first lockdown when I was sharing a daily reflection with my congregations.
This photo was taken on one of my daily exercise walks. It shows the approach road to the Queensferry Crossing – very quiet during lockdown – and the Forth Road Bridge to the side.
One of my granddaughters Amiee (aged 9) loves sitting outside the pub in South Queensferry with a good meal, her watching the Road Bridges (she loves the Queensferry Crossing) and me watching the Forth Rail Bridge. And yes, Amiee managed up in the summer and we went for a sail on the River Forth and had a great day out at the bridges. It was a time I felt truly blessed in the midst of all we were and still are facing. A help, in times I struggle, to remember we will get through this and there is the promise of good times to come.
There are many times of promises for the future in the Bible that we could turn to, but I settle back on a favourite of many, the Beatitudes at the start of the Sermon on the Mount – it is a reminder to us that even in these difficult times we are truly blessed.
Matthew 12:1-12
5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Yours,
Donald.
Revd Dr Donald MacEwan
Chaplain