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With the arrival of summer many of us will be looking forward to a welcome break away from it all on holiday. And I’m sure that right now across the nation people are planning such a journey to that certain, somewhere special. Some may even be travelling as far as South Africa to see the World Cup. And it’s often said that life also is like a journey and I wouldn’t disagree with that. But rather than being one uninterrupted excursion as if by train, the journey of life requires us to make many changes along the way not just of train but of station, ticket and even seat! The long journey of life is in fact a series of many shorter journeys (and deviations) which together make up the whole. For example we have all made the journey into childhood, education, a career, partnership with another, a period in the services (maybe), old age, bereavement and so on. Yet no one-person’s life experiences will be exactly the same as someone else’s. The journey of life may seem like a regular straight line but it is far from that. We’re all constantly having to adjust the map as we journey on into ever more new experiences. This is what makes life so interesting as well as character-building. However, not all experiences will be welcome while others will be embraced with great energy and exuberance. But on we go regardless turning the corners and straining our eyes forward to see what’s coming up ahead. Linda and I enjoy coastal walking whether that’s in France, North Devon, the Isle of Wight or the Channel Islands etc. We also enjoy rambling in the countryside with friends which gives ample opportunity for making new friends, laughing, discussing, and sharing experiences together while on the move.
And over the last two years we as a church have been journeying along with Christine our minister. But now, as summer reaches the pinnacle of its beauty, that particular phase of our journeying together is coming to an end. And what a journey it has been something very like a ramble during which we’ve planned, debated, discussed, laughed, been serious, disagreed but always enjoyed and appreciated the company. But now as we reach a fork in the road it’s time to say good-bye to Christine as we each go our separate ways. It’s time to part; to bid one another a fond farewell, to smile, to share those last precious moments before departing in different directions. As a church we must now build on the legacy Christine has left us never resting on our laurels and never sinking back from making those difficult decisions. Thanks to her we are now a lean, mean machine having a good compass to point the way as well as a map to follow and, perhaps more importantly, knowledge of how to use both effectively. For her part Christine will be starting a new journey of her own where the scenery, though different, will be just as stunning, just as fulfilling and just as challenging. And so as she goes from us we wish her well in her new life as we pause momentarily at the crossroads to take a long, lingering glance back before waving goodbye for the last time and continuing on our way.
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Thank you Christine for all you’ve brought to us here at Brislington URC and for sharing your life with us. May God bless the path that you now tread and may he bless us also. But now, as this particular stage in our life’s journey draws to a close, it’s time to don the stoutest walking shoes and lace them up tightly in preparation for the even greater journey to come. For the Lord is calling us as a church to follow him along the demanding paths of witness, mission, faithfulness, discipleship and (yes) growth.
In Jesus’ name
Derek Marsh
July 2010
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