April 29 2026 

Good morning, I greet you today with an aching body, I arrived home late last night after a few days helping my son-in-law renovate a seaside cottage. I’m beginning to feel my age! However, I look out of the window and see God’s beautiful morning, a true gift. Which reminds me that it’s Wednesday and that means that our house group meets at 09:30-11:00 . We have come to the penultimate chapter (15) of Paul’s letter to the Romans join us if you wish. 

Paul continues on the theme that he began last week, talking about putting others first. It is often on my mind that if I were to spend every waking moment of my life helping others then what would that achieve? I would probably burn right out and be of no use to anyone. But then I think ‘but that’s what Jesus did’. But did He though? I skipped through the Gospel according to Mark and discovered that Jesus often sought solitude and silence. From his time in the wilderness to walking by the Sea of Galilee to the Garden at Gethsemane He spent time with His Abba, His father. In fact Mark mentions Jesus seeking a break from ‘the people’ 39 times (thank you internet!). Jesus doesn’t spend His downtime on the beach sipping an iced cola, He is tuning in to His actual main focus, God. So what does all our scurrying around carrying out tasks to make other’s lives easier, to earn money, to elevate ourselves publicly? I don’t think so. We should do it as part of our worship and obedience to the way Jesus taught us, do it with a heart that brings glory to God which we should be applied to everything we do.  It’s a tough ask though. How can I glorify God when I’m doing the dishes or making model planes? By blessing Him for the gift of being able to do these things for my own wellbeing, He is our Father, our Abba and I believe He loves to see His children laugh and play. Today I will not feel lazy when I put my feet up and watch a movie instead of actively chasing the list of things I’ve taken on for my friends and family. 

Well that didn’t go where I expected! Read chapter 15 to hear more good news and guidance, Paul quotes one of my favourite scriptures ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit’

If you’ve got this far then well done, forgive any typos - I haven’t proof read this before posting. Have a great Wednesday with our Father.