Welcome to Glengormley Methodist Church
Part of the Methodist Church in Ireland
A quote from Oswald Chambers got me thinking recently. He wrote “Life is more tragic than orderly”. It was the more bit that I wondered about.
Then my thoughts went to Psalm 90. As a well known sign in East Belfast says “Sam’s your man” – for me it must be Psalm is your man when it comes to reflecting on all of life’s various experiences and emotions. Psalm 90 reflects on our brief journey through this fallen world. Part of it is sometimes read at funerals. It sets our brief earthly journey in the context of God's eternal life span.
Then just near the end comes a request for an equal number of glad and sad days, an equal number of good and bad years. Perhaps we do get a 50/50 quota. Perhaps for some it is “more tragic“. Perhaps for some “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Psalm 16: 6.
The important lesson for all for us, including every believer, is that suffering is part of life here on earth. Let us accept that and under God allow it to make us better and not bitter (a phrase I found helpful in Every Day with Jesus by the late Rev. Selwyn Hughes).
Our Lord Jesus Christ experienced deep suffering even to the point of separation from his Father God. We cannot expect any different in this world, except that in Christ we will never be separated from God. By his wounds we are healed Isaiah 53: 5.
Then my thoughts went to Psalm 90. As a well known sign in East Belfast says “Sam’s your man” – for me it must be Psalm is your man when it comes to reflecting on all of life’s various experiences and emotions. Psalm 90 reflects on our brief journey through this fallen world. Part of it is sometimes read at funerals. It sets our brief earthly journey in the context of God's eternal life span.
Then just near the end comes a request for an equal number of glad and sad days, an equal number of good and bad years. Perhaps we do get a 50/50 quota. Perhaps for some it is “more tragic“. Perhaps for some “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Psalm 16: 6.
The important lesson for all for us, including every believer, is that suffering is part of life here on earth. Let us accept that and under God allow it to make us better and not bitter (a phrase I found helpful in Every Day with Jesus by the late Rev. Selwyn Hughes).
Our Lord Jesus Christ experienced deep suffering even to the point of separation from his Father God. We cannot expect any different in this world, except that in Christ we will never be separated from God. By his wounds we are healed Isaiah 53: 5.