Thought for the week (we 12th January 2014)

Fans of Michael Schumacher held a vigil outside the hospital where the seven times world racing champion continues to be in a serious condition following an unfortunate skiing accident.

Among the many messages of support and goodwill was one from fellow Ferrari driver Felipe Massa which said ‘Be strong Michael, don’t give up we are praying for you’ – the hopes and sentiments of us all.

The world of Formula One as we know by is wrought with danger and risk. During his career Michael Schumacher must have encountered many times of extreme danger and potential injury and in the main avoided them. It’s ironic then that a simple skiing accident should have placed him in a situation where at this time he is fighting for his life.

There is, of course, in every sport and even in everyday living an element of risk. We can, of course, assess any danger and take precautions to minimise any consequences as Michael did by wearing a helmet which certainly saved his life.

However. despite all the precautions we take accidents still happen, often to those who are innocently in the wrong place at the wrong time. There’s no rhyme or reason when accidents do occur because by their very nature such events are utterly unfair and arbitrary.

Why then does God allow these things to happen?

The answer lies within the freedom we have to live our lives as we want. Freedom to live, play, travel and even to climb that mountain for the simple reason that it’s there.

We are not puppets at the end of a sting at the whims of a controlling puppeteer but God’s children, allowed to make our own mistakes subject to the unpredictable circumstances of life, all the time knowing that God will be with us and that nothing, even the most devastating accident or event can ever separate us from his love.

That’s the promise Jesus made and one which God in his compassion and mercy will always keep.