Dare to say yes
‘For he is like a refiner’s fire…’
So we read in this Sunday’s Old Testament passage from Malachi…
There are many more passages within scripture which strongly suggest that a life of faith will be a life lived under God’s transforming judgement and for the testing work of Kingdom building. As we read further on in Malachi:
- 5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
Is this the ‘yes’ of our faith? What do we understand that ‘yes’ to be in terms of commitment, belief or faith in action. As we journey through life doesn’t that ‘yes’ necessarily reflect the experiences we are going through – ‘Yes’ to faith in momentum…
As Anglicans, the key moment to affirm that faith is understood to take place at Confirmation. This year, Bishop Martin is encouraging parishes to prepare candidates for a service of Confirmation to be held on Easter Eve, Saturday 8th April at Chichester.
We are excited to know that there are quite a few younger members of our church family who would like to be prepared for Confirmation and, of course, we welcome and celebrate anyone of any age who would like to explore that yes – and for integrity’s sake it must be an open exploration – an invitation not an imposition.
If you would like to find out more about what that exploration to ‘dare to say yes’ might be like, please do call me 07538 011 579 and let’s talk – it really is something very, very special, a once in a lifetime event that will grow with you throughout life bringing you life in all its fullness!
Pope Francis put it beautifully when he said to a gathering of young Australian Christians:
Jesus is the Lord of ‘risk’ – he is the Lord of the eternal ‘more’…
Every blessing
Jonathan