"it's brightening up!"

On summer holidays, when the rain was pouring down, one member of our party would often say, "It's brightening up!" And it often did!

George Osborne and others may be reckoning that with the drop in the inflation rate (to 2%), that we will all share his enthusiasm far praising his own handling of the economy. Maybe he believes that 'It's brightening up!"

For myself, I have spent much time in recent weeks with people who have no sense of optimism, as their financial and family situations seem to get worse and worse. Debts and folly go hand in hand, and the vulnerable are preyed upon by the ruthless. For such people, there is not much sign of "It's brightening up!"

Hope is a fragile commodity, and Christian people are called to bring substantial hope to people struggling with darkness and despair.

A wonderful verse from the Book of Proverbs catches the mood. 'The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.' (Proverbs 4.18)

As followers of Jesus, the Light of the World, we too carry that brightening light with us daily, to those in the deepest darkness. I pray that we will bring that light-giving hope and life to people around us today.

Best wishes,

Richard