I know just how you feel!

I thought it might be interesting to some if I post my monthly letter in the Yelvertoft Parish Magazine.  Here is the latest; I'll look through some of the past ones where the content might not be dated.


I think that one of the most annoying things that can be said to anyone going through a tough time is, “I know just how you feel”, when you know very well they have absolutely no idea.  What’s worse is when they proceed to list all their troubles!

Usually when people go through tough times they pray – even if they’re not sure they believe in God.  It might not be in church, and it probably won’t be on their knees, but at some time or other they are likely to utter, “Oh God, help me”.  Of course if we had a God who had no idea what it was like to lose a loved one, to be badly let down by people you thought were your friends, to be in fear of death, to feel at life’s extremity, to know extreme temptation, to be in financial difficulty, to be the victim of slander and lies, to suffer exhaustion or hunger – if we had a God like that how could he truly empathise with us in our hour of need.

But because God stepped into this world, bringing his divine nature into union with our human nature in the extraordinary person of Jesus, he does know what all of those conditions (and more) are like.  Not only that, but he spent his ministry responding with compassion to people on the margins of society.  Some suffered from dreadful illnesses, some had just been bereaved, and some were considered socially unacceptable for a range of reasons.  All experienced the wonder that this very special person cared about them and, because his love is matched by his power, their lives were transformed by that contact with him.

No other religion can offer anything approaching such a God.  Last month we thought afresh about the arms of Jesus stretched out upon a cross.  I want you to imagine those arms now stretched out to welcome you – if you will turn to him and come to him.  He promised never to turn anyone away who comes to him.  And if you do that you will also come to know those same arms lovingly wrapped around you – holding you safely through the toughest times of this life.