Thought for the Week, April 21 2023

Highs and lows

 

Let’s encourage each other! Easter has passed with its 'highs' of the spring holiday, new life.

 

Now the 'low' days: disciples behind locked doors… their crucified friend seen alive and recognised! Blasphemy? Or trembling hope? Only a God could rise.

 

Just like life! You win on the horses and next day – a massive roof repair bill. But take heart: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.” (If by Rudyard Kipling)

 

Hold onto your hat, stay grounded. But how? Keep in touch with life beyond the veil, the life of your soul. Yes, you have a beautiful soul.

 

On a green hill far away, stands a piece of art (garden art by Nathan Coley at MOMA 2, Edinburgh), six words in bright lights: “There will be no miracles here”.

 

A shadow falls, a depression – no miracles. But wait – if there are to be no miracles here, that means they can happen elsewhere.

 

Perhaps Gabriel hasn’t visited yet but think: has nothing inexplicable ever happened in your life? We close our eyes. Was it Gandhi who said: “For every life, a dream”?

 

Art and nature underpin religion, on parallel levels, reflecting and supporting our so-called 'real' life.

 

We can reach out from a 'low', changing gear onto an alternative level, where we will be engaged, restored, not judged. It’s sometimes possible to haul a brother or sister aboard too.

 

Believing in miracles is rebellion. It enables, challenges, supremely comforts us. A gift from the Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

 

God is Spirit and we worship Him in spirit, on the many different levels of this short and miraculous life. Be of good cheer, we can overcome.

 

Congregation member of St Kiaran's Scottish Episcopal Church, Campbeltown.