Thought for the week (we 29th June 2014)

Andy Murray began the defence of his Wimbledon title with a convincing victory over David Goffin on the first day of play.

The reigning champion had a much deserved standing ovation and for the next two weeks the eyes of the world will be on this famous London suburb. Most of us won’t actually be there but will be glued to our TV’s for the duration of the competition and how well relish it!

On a pastoral visit I was amazed to see that one of, shall I say, more elderly members just had a fifty inch TV delivered with the intention of really enjoying Wimbledon this year. With a TV screen of cinema proportions and all around sound this eighty year old didn’t intend to miss a game and was going to treat herself to strawberries and cream on the men’s finals!

It was Max Boyce who coined the phrase ‘I was there’ for the memorable and historic Scarlets defeat of the All Blacks in 1972. You just can’t beat an experience like that and with Wimbledon final tickets at a premium only a comparatively few will actually be there compared to the millions who will watch on TV.

The experience of being where Jesus miraculously changed the lives of so many is, for some, an uplifting and joyous experience and many make the journey to the Holy Land to do just that. There were those, of course, who were actually there and faithfully wrote of what they saw and heard.

The Gospels faithfully and honestly record for us the life and teachings of Jesus so that we who were not there in person are able to know the full revelation of God’s love through his life, death and resurrection. Two thousand years have passed since Jesus walked this earth but the fullest picture of God’s love is ours through the faithful witness of those who whose testimony we can trust and believe.

In the power of the Holy Spirit the joy of love and salvation is ours. We’re in the best seats and with God’s grace and assurance inviting us to believe and trust is all that he has done for us that makes it ‘Love all’ !