The last picture I took today was of the sunset, with a cross setting over Preston Hospital. A deep red sprinkling of colour, like Jesus’ blood lies over the hospital. Within the hospital their is a chapel for prayer and pastors and vicars visit the sick. I was chasing the sunset tonight only to return home to take this picture and it to be setting perfectly over the hospital.
There are many people who are called to God and they are living their faith out before us, even though we never hear about them and very often they are overlooked. They are the true workers. Living God’s faith out in active service to others.
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Even though many of these people might be oppressed by rules and regulations, by people high up making decisions that leave wards at breaking point on some nights, they battle on caring for others and doing their best to keep going.
Which are the true workers; the ones who think about how to spend the money and manage the place, or the ones that get their hands dirty and are on the front line facing all the complaints and doing the best they can?
Others I have spoken to today that are teaching children and really love that aspect of the vocation, but there are people above that make the work hard and painful. Who have a different set of priorities.
After listening to a politician repeatedly dodge a question and just repeatedly go off on their own agenda, I feel there is an imbalance. People that are chief executives and such don’t really see what is going on in the workplace. Sure there might be inspections and things look good for a time, but as soon as they leave everything goes back to normal, and staff struggle with what they have been given, even if it is to their own detriment.
Tonight I feel I am tasked with praying;
- for the nurses in the thick of the action.
- For the teachers that are barely keeping their heads above water.
- For the people who work caring in the community doing God’s work.
- For our vicars and pastors who are meeting with the broken people and are trying to pick the pieces up and lead as many to God.
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
We must have a haste to pray and to seek God’s work. Our days here are short, let us number our days. Just like a star years ago led the wise men to baby Jesus, so a cross marks the spot where God wants the wise to pray. Jesus’ blood has covered all souls and if they ask for prayer we should go about this work without any regard for anything else. Life is too short to constantly be busy and not think of others.
Tonight pray with me for all who are trying their best to work, who are feeling the pressure but are in the place that God wants them to be. And I pray that those people have the beauty of the Lord upon them all the days of their lives. Tonight let us pray for psalm 90 verse 10 says; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away!
Amen
with blessings
Graham
365 Exhortations 