The Worst and the Best

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. Quote from the Tale of Two cities by Charles Dickens. 

My daughter and her family as they sit and have their evening meal discuss what has happened during the day, they talk about what the worst of the day was and what was the best. Sometimes the parents can pick up things that are happening to their children that they can help with, everyone is relaxed and honest as they talk. And that is how we should be in God’s company, relaxed and honest, able to share with Him the worst and the best knowing that He will always listen.

We never know what kind of influence we can have on a young life, and we should be willing to listen to them and help them and not ignore what they have to say as though it is of no importance. I had some clay strands that I made a little something with and as I moved it about I read out this poem.

 

We live in a world of contrasts

Dark-light

Well fed-hungry

Wise-foolish

Good-bad

Rich-poor

Belief-unbelief

Caring-uncaring 

Lost-found

Jesus is however;

The Light in the darkness

Bread for the spiritually hungry

The Way for the lost

The Truth in this uncertain world

The Life for a dying world.

He is the Lamb who took away the sins of the world and all who repent and believe on Him are saved.

I remember going to a Methodist chapel at Brinsley when we were young and I loved to sing those old songs and hymns but the contrast now when I sing them because now I know as my personal Saviour the one who the songs speak about.

 Years ago I made this model, it’s as hard as nails there is no way that I could do anything else with it, the clay is no longer soft and pliable. 

 But we do not want to be like this, we should be pliable in the hands of God. We should listen and obey and don’t stay stuck hard in our old ways.

Hard or soft what is the state of your heart? Hard against God and His saving work of grace through His Son? Or soft and pliable willing to yield to the things of God and obey His word?

The two disciples who walked down the Emmaus road were grieving, they were lost, they were in despair and darkness and Jesus came to them and walked with them, they couldn't believe that He had no idea what had happened and they told Him all  about it, and Jesus talked with them explaining the Scriptures, but then as they sat together to break bread their eyes were opened and they recognised the Saviour. Oh! the joy, and they ran all the way back to tell the news, their sadness had been turned to joy, their sorrow into rapture. What a contrast. They had had the worst day ever and now it was the best, that is the difference Jesus makes in lives and still does today.
Luke 24:13-35