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29/07/2016
A reading and a reflection to start the day with the Rev'd Dr Craig Gardiner, a lecturer at the South Wales Baptist College, Cardiff.
Last on
Fri 29 Jul 2016
05:43
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Script:
Good morning. The recent success of the Wales football team in Euro 2016 might've had people all over the UK scurrying to find their long lost Welsh roots, but today marks the start of another Welsh landmark, as the National Eisteddfod gets underway.
Μύ
The town of Abergavenny is host to this year’s event and for the next week something like 160,000 visitors will celebrate the pinnacle of Welsh cultural life. I am told there will be music and dance and visual arts, among many other events that make up this huge snapshot of a nation.
Μύ
I say I am told there will be all these things, because despite living for a long time in Wales I've never actually been to a National Eisteddfod. There are all sorts of reasons why, but this year I'm planning to put things right and make my first visit to this vibrant gathering of people.
Μύ
Of course doing anything for the first time brings a mix of apprehension at what could go wrong along with the thrill of all the fascinating people and events that might be discovered. Whether it's a first date, a new job or even learning to live with the diagnosis that came yesterday, all these things begin a first step into the unknown.
Μύ
St Peter once did what no-one else had ever done
he climbed out of a boat and walked across the water to meet Jesus on a lake.
Μύ
He's often been criticised for doing it because after a few seconds he started to sink
But imagine how his first steps felt
Even for a moment or two,
the fear and the thrill
of doing what they said could never be done.
Μύ
And that's a lesson for each of us.
Μύ
Dear God
help us to get out of the boat today
and step into the unknown:
And even if we sink in all we try to do
help us to trust that you will come and help us where we are
Amen
Μύ
The town of Abergavenny is host to this year’s event and for the next week something like 160,000 visitors will celebrate the pinnacle of Welsh cultural life. I am told there will be music and dance and visual arts, among many other events that make up this huge snapshot of a nation.
Μύ
I say I am told there will be all these things, because despite living for a long time in Wales I've never actually been to a National Eisteddfod. There are all sorts of reasons why, but this year I'm planning to put things right and make my first visit to this vibrant gathering of people.
Μύ
Of course doing anything for the first time brings a mix of apprehension at what could go wrong along with the thrill of all the fascinating people and events that might be discovered. Whether it's a first date, a new job or even learning to live with the diagnosis that came yesterday, all these things begin a first step into the unknown.
Μύ
St Peter once did what no-one else had ever done
he climbed out of a boat and walked across the water to meet Jesus on a lake.
Μύ
He's often been criticised for doing it because after a few seconds he started to sink
But imagine how his first steps felt
Even for a moment or two,
the fear and the thrill
of doing what they said could never be done.
Μύ
And that's a lesson for each of us.
Μύ
Dear God
help us to get out of the boat today
and step into the unknown:
And even if we sink in all we try to do
help us to trust that you will come and help us where we are
Amen
Broadcast
- Fri 29 Jul 2016 05:43Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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