Beloved in Christ :
Just recently I've been impressed by four remarkable people:
* The little boy with no legs, whose image has been circulating globally by e-mail, and who carries a broad smile wherever he goes
* Father Michael Lapsley, a priest in South Africa who lost both hands, one eye, and the hearing in one ear, in an attempted assassination under the apartheid regime
* Itzhak Perlman, paralyzed by polio from the waist down when he was a four year-old in Israel, yet now one of the world's greatest living violinists
* Judge Albie Sachs, another South African, who lost his right arm and the sight of one eye in a similar attack on his life
I don't know why this constellation should have come to my notice within the past couple of weeks, except that these exceptional men all have certain things in common: An incredible gratitude and zest for life and living; the astonishing ability to have risen above their life-changing afflictions; and an overarching desire to share their joy and help those less privileged.
Jesus also rejoiced in life. In John 15:10 He says
If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love.
And in verses 11 and 12 :
I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
The foundation for true joy is love.
As we look forward to what will no doubt be another challenging year, let's not lose sight of the joy there is in living and serving -- and all because we know we are "gripped by the love of God", as a dear departed friend of mine used to say.
May you and your loved ones experience God's richest blessings during 2012 and beyond.
The Lord of life, joy and love be with you!
Anthony M. Gamley Interim Pastor