Perspective

Well, my goodness a lot’s happened since I last wrote a blog. We went on a wonderful holiday to Skye where we walked in the mountains, watched eagles and sea eagles and tasted whisky! I’ve been to Seville and visited the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe, which is stunning, sat mesmerised as I’ve watched flamenco dancing and listened to trumpet and organ music performed in a beautiful church. In that time we’ve had two, or is it three, Prime Ministers, two chancellors, tax cuts and tax increases, resignations and promotions, leadership races and yet no voting! I don’t know about you, but I really am wondering what will happen next. It has been the most turbulent few weeks I think I can remember. I found it a little unnerving at times. And some things have been significantly affected. I heard of one young couple, earning decent salaries in professional jobs, whose rent went up by a staggering £400 a month because of the economic conditions caused by the Truss administration. They simply couldn’t afford to pay the increase, so she gave up her job and they’ve moved back in with his parents! Tragic. There is no doubt about it, times are tough. And confusing. It’s now more than ever that the words of Psalm 121 seem to me to offer something so important we dare not let go of. They offer us: perspective. The writer asks: where does my help come from? At times like the one we’re in we may ask the same question. We look around and what we see can be frightening. Perhaps we feel there is no help out there. It can feel overwhelming. The writer answers his own question: My help comes from the Lord. And not only the Lord, but the Lord who is the maker of heaven and earth. His help comes from the creator of the universe. His help comes from the mighty God, the powerful and majestic God who sits enthroned in the heavens. His help comes from the one who redeemed his people. His help comes from the God who loves his people and never lets them go. His help comes from the God who leads and guides and rescues and saves his people. Hs help comes from the God who sticks around. HIs help comes from the same God who we love and serve. His God is our God. And the God he turns to for his help, is the one we turn to in times like the one we now face. And in times like the one we now face, perspective is really, really important. Psalm 121 invites us to remember who is with us and for us and who will never let us go. I need to do that right now. And maybe you do too. I need perspective. And maybe you do too.