Dear Family of St John’s
A friend sent me a meme a few days ago on WhatsApp. It said, “The older I get the more I understand why roosters just scream to start the day.” Well, that made me laugh!
My dad has always kept roosters and hens. Every school holiday morning was greeted with the (very) early wake-up call of the roosters. My dad knew each one’s call and would go out to check on them if one was absent from the choir on any particular morning.
One of the roosters drove me crazy! He didn’t finish his crow properly, but would cut off mid-crow leaving me waiting for the next part. Everyone knows that roosters say ‘cock-a-doodle-doo’, right? Not this chap, he just said ‘cock-a-doodle’. Most annoying!
Not everyone appreciates that sort of wake-up call though. Some prefer a gentler start to the day. I have to say that I quite like them, even the rooster that stopped mid-crow. Perhaps it’s a nostalgic thing for me, bringing back lovely childhood memories.
Nevertheless, I do sometimes relate to the sentiment of the meme that I received. There are some days when you wake up and just want to close your eyes again, rather than face what lies ahead. Perhaps it’s the aching knees and back that weren’t a problem a year ago, but since your last birthday have suddenly started protesting. Perhaps it’s a work situation, the reminder of a difficult relationship, financial strain, or the grief you’re experiencing which is fresh with the new day. We each face things daily which we’d rather avoid.
So many people have commented recently about the strain they’re experiencing, that they’re exhausted, overwhelmed. Maybe you feel a little like that too. If so, I’d like to offer a few words of encouragement from Peter’s first letter. This passage always pops into my head when we celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa. It reminds me of the even greater heritage we have, as children of God.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 3-9)
Unjust or unexpected suffering takes its toll on us, it weighs heavily. It’s natural to feel frustrated, angry, or uncertain. In the middle of all of that, it can be so difficult to hold on to the contentment we should have through our faith in Christ. We may have more questions than answers, and our prayers can feel distant.
So, how do we respond when we’re going through a rough patch? Some of us might feel overwhelmed at the thought of enduring more pain, while others seem to rise to the challenge. Most of us probably find ourselves somewhere in between those extremes.
In 1 Peter, we find a powerful message of perseverance in faith. It’s not just about getting through each day or putting on a brave face. Instead, Peter encourages us to recognize that our struggles are temporary. He calls us to walk in holiness and hope, reminding us that we are people of faith, even with all the challenges we face.
Knowing this doesn’t take away the challenges, but I know that it certainly helps me keep some perspective. It helps me to stay focused and not feel too overwhelmed in a particular situation. The hope we have in Christ is the most powerful source of encouragement for our daily lives. It calls us to embrace joy even in hardship, to rely on one another as a community, and to remain steadfast in our faith.
In this coming week, let’s look for ways to live out this hope. Whether it’s through prayer, acts of kindness, or simply reaching out to someone in need, let’s embody the living hope we have in Christ. As we do, we not only uplift ourselves but also shine a light in the world around us, drawing others to the hope that transforms lives. May we always remember that in every season, we are anchored in Christ, who is our living hope.
With love
Your friend and rector,
Claire