The Vicar Writes

The Beacon

 

Message from the Rev Marion Walker….

Practising the presence of God

Although we often hear complaints about our English weather, I am sure we would all agree that one of its beauties lies in the way the seasons change during the year. This is particularly true when spring arrives together with the anticipation of warmer and longer days.

One chilly day in early March I was driving through countryside near Ipswich when I was suddenly struck by the stark beauty of a cluster of leafless trees silhouetted against the sky. As I was reflecting on how the skyline would change dramatically over the coming weeks, I was reminded of the story of Nicholas Herman who lived in the seventeenth century.

One winter, when he was just 18, Nicholas also looked at a bare tree and began to consider the fact that it would not be leafless forever, that there was hope that its foliage would return, then the flowers and then fruit in season.

As he gazed at the tree he became acutely aware of the power of God and the extravagance of his grace in bringing life to his creation; in that moment he also realised his own love for God ‘that never ceased to burn.'

Nicholas eventually entered a monastery where he became known as Brother Lawrence; he spent the rest of his life worshipping God through the ordinary circumstances of life, giving each situation in which he found himself, every task he undertook, however menial, to God, something which he called ‘practising the presence of God'.

As we enjoy this spring time, may we too be reminded of the power and provision of God, not only through the new life springing up in our gardens, parks and countryside, but also through the message of the Easter story, that through the death and Resurrection of Jesus, God has also given to us the promise of new life in Christ. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Marion