Just to set the record straight, I was never a member of the Scouts. Quite a few of my childhood friends were. But no camps, no badges, no adventures, no promise for me. So really, I’ve never been prepared. Life has just happened. You don’t have to agree with me!
However, yesterday I was. Were you? I was prepared for the UK-wide emergency alert system test that went off nationwide on mobile phones at 3pm. Whilst there was a certain amount of controversy over this exercise, the minister in charge of the system, Oliver Dowden, said the new system was a "vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies".
I read that this is widely used in the USA to warn populations of severe weather alerts and missing – feared abducted – children. It is also used in the Netherlands and Japan.
Yesterday we learnt about St George in our reflection, with some wonderful words from Ephesians 6 interspersed throughout. Let me continue that theme and share another verse from that inspiring chapter:
“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
Ephesians 6:15 (NLT)
On this Mindfulness Monday how good is it to hear that verse and know that by putting on the peace that comes from the Good News we are fully prepared for life.
Of course, things don’t always work out that way. It seems very easy – put on the peace – but in reality it can be hard to find it, let alone put it on. The worries of this life, the challenges of this life are faced in different ways by different people. For some, this is like slipping on an elegant overcoat, you slide into it and it feels perfect. But for others, the experience feels like having three arms and no buttons.
It is important to remember that we should always listen for how God is guiding and leading us. We are all unique and there is no one-size-fits-all faith life that magically appears before us. We don’t have to live up to the expectations of those around us, we just have to be in a loving and faithful relationship with God. And sometimes that relationship comes with more potholes than Blackburn, Lancashire, but that is ok. Keep looking for God. Keep listening for God. Keep praying for God. And we often discover that grace and peace of God in the most unexpected places and ways.
The penultimate verse of Ephesians 6 reads:
“Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness.”
Ephesians 6:23 (NLT)
Gracious God, we’re in need of your peace and truth to soothe our hearts and minds right now. We need you to prepare us for what this day will bring. When we find ourselves awake in the middle of the night, our pressing needs and worries can feel overwhelming. We need to be reminded of your constant love, healing, and grace. We ask for your love and faithfulness to surround us. Amen.
Neil Chappell
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