Appearances can deceive

“Paul and Silas were watching a match” sounds like the beginning of a New Testament joke. However Silas is a post graduate student from Zimbabwe who I have met through the Buddy scheme of Friends International and we watched Scotland play Croatia together last night. Given the amount of mutual jumping, yelling and groaning as the match progressed there is no doubt as to the loyalty of this recently arrived visitor! Although Scotland lost the team played well, have some good younger players and the future looks promising. You could be forgiven for thinking the Scots had won by the sound of cheering and support for the team at the end of the game by the Tartan Army. Appearances can deceive.

We had been for a walk earlier in the evening and Silas was telling me of trees in Zimbabwe that during the dry winter season look almost dead. Their bark is dry and brown and seeming lifeless. Within a few days of the spring rains coming however they quickly turn green, leaves sprout and the bark is transformed. These trees have many different layers of bark and during the dry season the tap root of the tree goes deep into the soil where moisture remains and keeps the inner part of tree alive and well. Appearances can deceive. This reminded me of Jeremiah 17:8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’

Appearances can deceive when it comes to the church also. I recently came across a quote from the German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer: It may be that the times which by human standards are the times of collapse (of the church) are for Jesus the great times of construction. It may be that the times which from a human point are great times for the church are times when it's pulled down. It is a great comfort which Jesus gives to his church. You confess, preach, bear witness to me, and I alone will build where it pleases me. Do not meddle in what is not your providence. Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough.... Live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

A diverse group of people from age 11 to 89 were walking round Loch Ardinning on midsummer night deep in scattered conversations. They (some!) were seen climbing rocks, being ambushed by midges, chasing dogs, enjoying the views, celebrating life. Appearances can deceive…this is Church.

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