I have a busy brain. It’s one of the few(…!) differences between me and Steve. I could be asked what I’m thinking and tell you a list of a dozen things all racing around my brain at that very second. Steve is the polar opposite!

C. S. Lewis wrote something to which I relate. “The real problem of Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice…. And so on, all day.” For me, these wild animals are not only wishes and hopes but also anxieties and worries. For you, they might take the form of desires, doubts, decisions or temptations. It’s all very well to say that we ought to shove them back - and we should, with all our might - but what about when we just don’t have the strength?

I put this question to God recently when I was flooded with overwhelming negative thoughts. He told me to kneel down. So I did. I pictured myself kneeling down right in the path of the wild animals charging at me. As I did so, they all began to move in slow motion and one by one, God plucked them from my path. When I finally stood again, the path ahead of me was completely clear. I realised what a difference there was between me trying to shove them back with all my might, and God just lifting them off effortlessly with His. How sublime is it that through our surrender, God does His best work?

As Paul rejoiced, “So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me… my weakness is a portal to God’s power!” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - The Passion Translation)

With our wedding fast approaching, this week God has reminded me of the encouragement I wrote a couple of years ago, when my best friend was getting married. The same message still applies today:

In a few months, Dan and I will be getting married. Whilst this is super exciting and wonderful, it also comes with a lot of planning, people to coordinate, relationships to navigate, things that have to be done at the right time.

With all the thinking about the food, what to wear, sending invitations, it can be easy to miss what is most important. In fact, it is our relationship that ties it all together, and gives all the preparation, meaning and purpose.

This got me thinking about the church; we are the bride and Christ is the bridegroom. Let's not get so focused on the wedding, i.e. the planning & the doing, that we miss out on the most important thing, our relationship with Him and as a result, our relationship with people.

Jesus put it to Martha this way:

"Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her (Luke 10:39 TPT).

As the wedding day is fast approaching, I'm learning that in this process of preparation, I can no longer put off until tomorrow, the things that need to happen today, and we the church, must take the same approach 🙏❤️,

A lot can happen in a week.

Someone can be adored and fall to a place of hate and be abandoned or worse, killed.

*BUT* when Jesus died, He came back to life three days later. Jesus defeated death!!

If Jesus did that to enable us to have a relationship with God, how can we not have hope in the Lord?

Even though this may be a dark time for you, God is with you, right in the midst of your situation.

Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Keep hoping and trusting in God, it'll make you stronger.

If you're not sure or need reminding, please ask someone or me to share a testimony (experience) with you, God never lets go of us. His Son died for us, but it didn't end there.

Happy Easter to you, but more importantly, Peace be with you.

A simple act prompted by the Holy Spirit can change someone's day, week, year or life.

A simple ...

Smile "Hello” Hug Phonecall Text message Word of knowledge Gift Kindness Listening ear Giving someone a lift Caring act Word of faith Compassion Sympathy Being there for someone There in the good times There in the hard times Giving financially Food and fellowship Open home Word of hope Prayer

... can have a massive impact.

You are a walking example of Jesus on earth.

The greatest command God has given us is to love him and love others. Let's walk in that today and everyday by listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and being his hands and feet.