Preparation…

Yesterday I ate chocolate 🍫 and it tasted so good. After 7 days and eight nights of one bowl of soup and bread per day it was a real treat to savour orange juice in the morning again; to literally “break fast”. It makes me think of the many simple pleasures we take for granted. The partial fast wasn’t easy but was worthwhile.

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Lent is historically a time of preparation for Easter. We are also reminded that Jesus spent 40 “hidden days” in the wilderness then had to go through temptation before He started his ministry.

Virtually all things worthwhile in life require preparation and waiting. This is often “hidden”. This is at odds with our “instant generation” but frequently there is a price to be paid, for anything from a career to a relationship. A self-denial to be gone through; a training to be undergone. For many persecuted Christians however being hidden is a permanent part of life.

I was reminded today that a grain of seed has to “die” before it can bear fruit. Fourteen days ago I had a small dry hollyhock seed; a few weeks ago my daffodils were hidden underground. But from the ground there blossoms life.

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21st of March is the Spring equinox and in Persian speaking countries, Nowuz, the celebration of new life. Iranians in particular meet together to celebrate this. For those who have a Christian faith it is a chance to share the hope they have, sometimes at great risk. But if something is important it’s worth sharing, right? This clip is a couple of years old but I think it’s still worth sharing as there are still others like Maryam in jail…Thanks again for your interest and support.