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"Fret not thyself ...... Rest in the Lord."
Psalm 37:1,7.
It has been claimed that the advertisements in the newspapers,
magazines, on radio and television, truly reflect the attitudes
and wants of most people that the advertisers only encourage
them to accept that what they sell is what they need. If that
is true then food, clothes, drink and entertainment are what
are the really important things in life to very many of us.
It means that people think and live contrary to the advice
Jesus gave to those who heard Him.
"Do not fret and say what are we going to eat or
drink or what will there be for us to wear?"
It is true that most people are very, if not totally concerned
about these physical and material needs. But it must be added
that just as well proven is the fact that there are those,
in no small number, who are much concerned about what is less
of the physical but more of their spiritual needs which are
of greater importance to them. What the advertisers offer
is not enough for them even when they are selling only the
necessaries of life and not peddling wares of doubtful benefit
to anybody.
It is a main contention of the Christian faith that people
need a spiritual consciousness, a recognition that this is
God's world and He demands His unique and rightful place in
it. The Christian contention is that real satisfaction, true
happiness, ease of body and peace of mind are found only when
we live in the knowledge of the presence of God and with His
help.
Often quoted is the little prayer of St Augustine:
"Thou, O god, hast made us for Thyself and we cannot rest
until we "rest in Thee."
The Christian faith which has very much to say about the
love of God for people has a great deal to add about the love
of people for people. Life is made up of personal relationships.
And the postive ones bring benefits from shared experiences
based on love, respect and trust.
The maxim is people matter to God and to one another. It
is the ultimate tragedy when there is hatred, cruelty, neglect,
intolerance and criminality that are the total abasement of
our humanity.
It is always the responsibility of Christians, and those
whose vaulation on human life, character and conduct is of
like kind, to work together to change what needs changing.
The words of the psalmist remain relevant. Life must have
a base on which to rest - to believe in God and to be certain
of His love for us and to determine to live the kind of life
pleasing to God. That is the Christian message and the Christian's
task to bring people to faith in God and to change their lives.
Tennyson advised:
"Cast your care on God that anchor holds."
Spurgeon adds:
"He who climbs above the cares of the world and turns his
face to his God has found the sunny side of life."
The experience of the poet has been that of many others.
It is still.
It is not far to go
For thou art near.
It is not far to go
For Thou art here.
And not be travelling, Lord,
Men come to Thee
But by the way of love,
And we love Thee."
Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long
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