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Caroline Jamieson1 
Caroline Jamieson

 
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’
2 Corinthians 6 v17
 
2   

Welcome to Greenford!
 
This is Bittern’s Field- a stone’s throw away from LIDL in Greenford. I have been there for walks over the last few weeks and seen first the cowslips flowering and now the daisies. I have picked elderflowers to make cordial (recipes on request!). It is a bucolic haven in the middle of busy Ealing. But what is it doing here? The answer is, it hasn’t always been a place for people to enjoy. It was, in fact, a rubbish dump.

‘Behold I make all things new’ says the Lord (Revelation21v5). Through His death and resurrection we have been made a new creation. All those things that we did in the past have been covered by God’s infinite love. We are now like the field I was describing. We are brimming with the new life that God has given us. Can you see the new plants and flowers in your life? It’s worth spending time each day looking for what God is planting in your heart.

We find it tempting to keep digging up our old life, however. We must remember that old problems can be overcome through our new life in Christ and that He will be with us every step of the way.

 As I walk around Bittern’s Field I have noticed saplings and permanent plants taking root. Our lives in Christ don’t stand still. God is changing us through the power of the Holy Spirit. He came to us at Pentecost….and never left. We are changing into more mature people of God as we come to trust these permanent truths.

Do we face problems and sadness and disaster? Of course we do. But as Christians we know that God holds our hand and so we can get through them together. Alleluia!

I have chosen a Gospel song which reminds us to praise God in every situation. I defy you to sit still as you listen to it!  

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that we are new creations in You and that You sent your Holy Spirit to us at Pentecost as our helper. We ask for your help today.

Prayer Request:  As the lockdown restrictions begin to be eased help us to exercise wisdom and  continue to show care for others, and for those who have been shielded we pray that they might know God’s guidance and protection.