Last week my message contained a picture of a swan in flight – did you notice the lapwing at the bottom of the picture? This week I thought that I would post a picture of a mechanical bird with my message. After the air display at Shuttleworth over the weekend, there have been many pictures posted on Facebook; there are many talented photographers around, it would seem. I was privileged on Saturday to conduct a service of thanksgiving and remembrance for the Tempsford veterans and their families. We owe a great deal of gratitude to those who defended our country in World War Two, and who along with our allies were able to defeat the tyranny that we faced; and of course we commemorate the 80th anniversary of that victory this year.
Today there are many in the armed forces who through their dedication and courage defend what is right and good, even though we face many invasions of freedom and privacy – we need to give thanks for them too. We live in a world that is very unstable: fearing terror and lacking hope for the future.
We have, however, a God who is compassionate if only we learn to put our trust in him and follow the ways that he showed through Jesus’ time here on earth. In a world where we are pulled in so many different ways in order to live better and make our lives more comfortable, the way forward is to love one another, learn to live alongside one another in peace and to share the resources of the world, so that all can live in peace and harmony, regardless of tradition, culture or background.
May I wish you God’s blessings.
Revd Graham
