Vicar's Letter - 7 October 2022

Kia ora All Saints whānau,
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This week I've been reflecting on what God's blessing has looked like in my life. It seems that God has been incredibly faithful but this faithfulness has barely ever looked how I expected it would. I have numerous examples of this but the most recent is a transformation from crying out to God for the blessing of being a parent for many years with little hope, to now wondering how I will handle the extra blessing God has provided! Sometimes living into God's plan has required more sacrifice than I expected, and sometimes it has provided more blessing than expected. Either way, I have learnt that God is good, though not predictable. It reminds me of the quote from CS Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:

"Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."

As things continue to change in our country, our response to Covid, our ability to socialise, changes in our world climate, environmental concerns, political divides, we can confidently know that our God is good. God listens, God weeps with us, God rejoices with us. As we heard last week, we are sent with the message that a king has been enthroned - a good king, the true king. May we find ways to share this good news with those around us in whatever way God prompts us, and remember that the Spirit goes with us as we do. God is not safe, but He is good.

Ngā mihi nui,
Emily Spence