麻豆约拍

A reflection and prayer to start the day with Reverend Catherine De Souza, Senior Leader of City Church in Cardiff.

Good morning. Two weeks ago my eldest daughter went back to school at the start of a new school year. Like many parents I took a photo of her on our doorstep looking smart in her school uniform, having spent the previous evening sewing buttons back on and ironing name labels in. We compared her photo to last year鈥檚 picture, commenting on how much she had grown and changed in just one year 鈥� this was going to be a big week. But who could have predicted that such significant, national events would then take place. The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the start of the reign of King Charles III led me to reflect that in my daughter鈥檚 young life she had already seen so much change: two Monarchs, three Prime Ministers, a global pandemic, and war in Europe. It鈥檚 enough change for a lifetime, let alone for her five and a half years.

Change can be hard at times and when so many things become different in a short space of time we can be left feeling destabilised and unsure. The book of Hebrews says, 鈥淛esus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.鈥� In changing and shifting times we can take comfort and reassurance in the fact that Jesus is unchanging; that he is always good, always loving, always kind, and always faithful. I鈥檓 grateful that regardless of how much changes around us, we can be confident in the consistent nature of God and of his constant presence in our lives. What a wonderful reassurance to know that God is with us in all of our 鈥渢odays鈥� and will be with us forever.

Lord, thank you that even in times of significant change we can rely on your unchanging nature. Thank you that we can find stability and security in you. Help us to experience your peace and presence in these changing times. Amen.