Anthony's spring message to the parish in 2007

Friends,

There is a text in Paul's letter to the Philippians that runs: "Forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high-calling of God in Christ Jesus". This is a profund statement about the aim, and purpose of our spiritual journey.  It is in fact a motto for life. Paul cannot be asking us to forget everything that is in the past.  To erase experience, deny tradition, dismiss our happy memories or ignore our mistakes would constitue a great loss. What he is seeking to do is to ensure that we get our perspective on life right. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future. It is therefore the part of the journey to come that matters most. We must keep looking FORWARD!

In the early years and middle age looking forward is tolerable but, as we get older or are limited by illness, it can feel very different. At whatever stage in life we find we are at, we must have our eyes facing forward. The encouragement comes from people who although older have always looked ahead with enthusiasm. A former Lord Chief Justice of Canada, Sir William Mulock, commented on his 90th birthday, "The best is yet to be, hidden beyond the hills of time". It is life giving to look forward.

We therefore "press towards the mark" in God's purpose for us, assured that it is not our weak hold on God that is important. It is His mighty grasp on us that matters. We are in the hands of a "love that will not let us go". Look forward then....... in confidence and faith.

May God bless our homes and families,

With every blessing,

Anthony
Rev Anthony M. Jones, BD (Hons), DPS, Dip Th, F.R.S.A.