It’s Not Easy

by Peter Blount 9 December 2021

Welcome to ‘Sharing Our Faith Together’

A few nights ago now, whilst in the process of ‘closing up’ for the night, you know the routine – check the doors are locked and draw the curtains etc. I noticed, not only was there a full moon, but it was low in the sky and appeared much larger and closer than usual. Whenever I see the moon like that one piece of music comes immediately to mind

(note – it starts very quietly but don’t turn up the volume too much!)

It was used in the late 1960’s as the theme music for James Burke introducing the BBC’s moon landing programmes. As a teenager, unmoved and uninterested in anything, my brother and I regularly stayed up late to watch (on a black & white TV that had to be ‘tuned in’), with wrapt attention the progress of each mission leading up to (and beyond) Neil Armstrong’s words ‘One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’.

It was a fantastic and exciting time and no one could have imagined the scientific and technical developments that would emerge during and after the space race.

The American determination to reach the moon was driven mainly by one rallying speech giving by the then President, John F. Kennedy, in the early 1960’s stating that ‘we go to the moon not because it is easy but because it is hard’. And, of course it was, but with each problem and disaster along the way the determination grew until the goal was achieved and the moon landing was entered into history as one of those pivotal moments.

Having said all that, I come back to JFK’s quote ‘not because it is easy but because it is hard’. This year has been a very difficult year as not just this country, but the world faces a pandemic not known before. But from World Leaders through politicians and scientists to you and I, it will be beaten, many problems and difficulties along the way have been conquered, normality will be restored with JFK’s quote ringing in our ears.

This battle, as well as our desire to achieve discipleship in and through Jesus can only be won through determination to follow His vision and by constant prayer.

Prayer

Great God of wonders, keep us safe in the palm of your hand blessed by love and grace.

AMEN