Thought for the Week - 19th June 2022

Dear Friends, 

As I sit and write this week’s thought the temperature outside is due to reach a sweltering 32⁰C and the weather app on my phone tells me that the real feel will be 34⁰C (that’s 93.2⁰F) – phew it is HOT!!! This week sees the official first day of Summer when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun which is at its highest position in the sky giving the longest period of daylight, all of which takes place on Tuesday 21st June. From a website called ‘time and date’, described as ‘the world’s number one website on time’, I discovered that there will be precisely 16h38m22s of daylight on that day and that after that the nights will begin to draw in and we will lose fractions of daylight as the days progress, 3s on 22nd, 9s on 23rd, 15s on 24th, and so on, so make the most of 21st. Sometimes we hear people use the phrase, ‘the days of our lives’, referring to the sum of our earthly existence and our accomplishments, which the Psalmist tells us can be between 70 and 80 years, that is around 25,500 to just under 30,000 days in a lifetime. If we sit down and think about ‘our days’, I wonder what would be the highlights? In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, King Solomon, who is credited as being the wisest man that ever lived is writing wisdom for young people for godly living as a parent might instruct their children. This advice though is not just for young people, but for us all, and we are encouraged to ‘let the wise listen and add to their learning’ (1:5). Solomon highlights what he believes is the secret to a long and fulfilled life when he says, ‘My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation’ (Proverbs 3:1-4). In a dream God had asked King Solomon what gift he would like, and he could have chosen anything, courage, strength, fame or wealth, but he asked for an understanding heart so that he could make good decisions for his people. And although, as with so many Bible characters, he had his flaws and did not always follow God closely, still today he is remembered for his wisdom proverbs. As the days begin to shorten this week, be it ever so gradually, may we take some time to reflect on our own lives and the wisdom that we live by, remembering that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8:28).

Grace and peace,

Neil

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