Chaplain’s Message 020922

Some weeks ago I challenged you to think of the highlight, or one good thing that happened to you in your week. How did you go with that? Are you still practicing it? If you can do it on a daily basis our outlook will be positive and we will appreciate and love life more.

One of the exercises we carry out at our church was to listen to the news and read the newspapers for one week; make two lists; one with the good stories and the other of all the bad stories.

At the end of a week it was very difficult to find any uplifting news. Why is it that the bad stories seem to attract the most attention? Where has the world gone wrong? What is the answer? Jesus is the answer. John 10:10 “the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.

I’d like to share a good news story and it’s true.

When the village witch doctor arrived at Sita’s home, she and her husband had new hope. Surely now the gods would listen to their desperate prayers to save the life of their baby girl! But when the witch doctor left the baby girl still lay sick, Sita and her husband faced the bitter truth; soon their daughter who had brought them so much joy, would be dead. They wept bitterly. As long as Sita could remember, she and her family had performed every religious ritual that was required.

They had faithfully practiced their religion at many holy places. But as their daughter drew nearer and nearer to death, she lost hope.

One day, a national missionary arrived at their little village. He told those who listened about a God named Jesus who offered eternal hope, and could even heal the sick.

When the news reached Sita, she and her husband begged the missionary to come and pray for their dying girl. He did, and the Lord confirmed His word by healing her. Today Sita and her husband are full time missionaries. Now they get to help others experience the hope found in Jesus that they experienced in their time of need.

May you remember all the good things that happen for you this week.

Dear Heavenly Father, may we experience the fullness of life that you offer us today. Amen

Chaplain Ron