“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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