The Morning After!

The party's over. 

The 6 weeks of feasting on extraordinary sporting endeavours have ended. 

For many, 'hang over' may best describe how they feel.  

While particular memories may linger longer, and while there may be changes in the way we perceive people with disabilities, 'back to normal' is how it will be. The daily routines, with the long slog towards Christmas, through whatever the economy and politicians throw at us, will now become our daily diet. 

So what will our diet be? More entertainment and excitement, or endurance through tough times?

The Old Testament addressed exactly this issue, when the Israelites had had all the excitement of escaping from Egypt, the miracles of the Red Sea crossing,and the destruction of the Egyptian army. Then they were faced with the long hard slog through the Sinai desert, with little food and limited water supplies. They started to grumble, and complain that the Lord had left them. Some wanted to return to Egypt and slavery, as there they were well fed (so they imagined).

The Lord who had delivered them had a different lesson for them to learn. Moses reminds his followers of these times. 'Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.' (Deuteronomy 8.2-3)

Whatever we are facing these days, we also need to learn that our deepest nourishment comes from attending to what the Lord wants to say to us. Without time for reflection on his Word, through Scripture and often in community with others, we will starve spiritually.

What is your 'Morning After diet?
Best wishes,

Richard