The two swans seem in pure heaven, they are so chilled and just floating on by.

But then they are travelling together and they have each other for love. When we encounter problems and struggles in our life do we naturally just try to get on with them and not shoulder any of the responsibility and stress with others. Yes we are called to be lights in the darkness, but Jesus never tells us that we are on this journey alone. Indeed we have the Holy Spirit on our side, more than on our side He is within us and He is doing the bidding of Jesus.

But I feel that we need others on this journey, not just God, but other friends to share our thoughts, concerns and burdens. If we share with our loyal friends it is not being pessimistic or a misery guts as some might suggest, but being in some respects a realist.

Are are standing on the shoulders of giants, and each of us has to just reach that little bit further.

King Saul didn’t defeat the Philistines, without the help of David, David didn’t build the temple without his son, and whizzing years forward Mary didn’t get to Bethlehem on her own, but with the help of her strong husband to be Joseph.

I feel we all need friends to help us with our burdens, we need soul friends that we can open up to and talk in confidence, and when we have a project that seems to come from God we need to pray for God to send the right people to help us out.

Hebrews 11:48

39 These were all commended for their faith,
yet none of them received what had been promised,
40 since God had planned something better for us
so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

This verse from Hebrews seems to turn the “standing on the shoulders of giants” upside down. It seems to suggest, at least to me, that the great patriarchs and heroes and heroines of old are only made perfect with us, so that they are in effect standing on our shoulders. But the conundrum comes in that we would not have made it if they hadn’t of been there for these great patriarchs and their sacrifice. But moving on to the next world, life is not possible, unless you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour; as God and King. They all sacrificed with faith, yet they didn’t receive their reward. God promised Moses he would reach the promised land, but he didn’t in his lifetime – that was later in the transfiguration. But none of this would of been made possible with the sacrifice of Jesus. Focussing on a week of sacrifice with Armistice day, I also though of Jesus on 11/11  – His sacrifice for all of mankind.

Dear Lord, tonight in the face of so much stuff to do. Do not take this load away from us, but send friends to help with the cross as Simon helped your Son with the cross on Golgotha. Send people of God out into every corner of the world to retake the battle grounds for peace, to help with the persecution, with the trials and with the pain. Let us help each person we meet and as we meet them and deliver your kingdom here and now, through your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen