It is such a long time since we have been able to gather together in worship and fellowship
And although in some ways the ‘lock down’ is easing we realise that for many there continues to be concerns about the safety and wisdom of getting out and about. The news varies from the positive, that there could be a vaccine by Christmas, to the more cautious message that we now need to learn to live with covid 19 as it will be with us to some extent for many years.
Today my thoughts were drawn to 1 Peter 2:4-10. At our team meeting this week we spent time reflecting on it. The words had a different emphasis for each of us. As you read this passage I invite you to ask the Lord to reveal to you what is on his heart for you to hear.
As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.’
(Isaiah 28:16)
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’
(Psalm 118:22)
and,
‘A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’
(Isaiah 8:14)
They stumble because they disobey the message – which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:4-10
As I reflect on it there is so much richness and hope in these words. We have been chosen and are being built up. Each of us has a place that is made just for us; consider a jig-saw with a piece missing. Each one of us is unique. Each one God’s special possession. Chosen that we might declare praise to him.
And Jesus Christ is there at the centre of His church. He is the cornerstone, the foundation stone on which all of us are built and held together. The church has no place for lone rangers but a place for every person. If you are struggling in anyway please do not feel that you need to bear this alone. Barbara put it well at the team meeting ‘we are family’.
Over recent days we have been seeing God’s hand at work as he begins to rebuild the work associated with the Emmaus Christian Centre. Last Sunday morning we were delighted that 8 people gathered around the large cross which is in the centre of the sanctuary. We spent time in a Morning Prayer service and there was an opportunity to chat with each other. It is our intention to continue for now with an informal time of corporate prayer each Sunday as we journey together.
Shalom
Graham and Katy Hill, Local Church Leaders