Thought for the Day, Monday 6^th July by the Rev. Tony Bushell 

I don’t know about you but I am finding the gradual easing of the lockdown restrictions even more unsettling than before. When once things were clear – we knew fairly clearly what we should and should not be doing – everything now seems much more uncertain. The Regulations are there of course, but, as the possibility of greater movement and interaction increases, so the does the opportunity for variation and interpretation, and so much of the advice is a “should” and not a “must”. We humans tend to like certainty – we usually want to know where we are and what the future will hold – and that is hardly surprising as it is important in all walks of life. However, sometimes that is just not possible and we have to make decisions based on our reason, experience and surmise. Therefore it is at just such times as these that we need to ask God for his help and guidance for he is the one person on whom we can rely utterly. We need to bring all our cares and concerns, our worries and our uncertainties to him in prayer, being open and honest, and he will help us. Usually this does not come in an instant answer to a problem or a blinding flash of inspiration, rather it is a gentle reassurance and a sense of his presence that we get. A realisation of his loving hand protecting and nurturing us in all that we do. In the Gospel yesterday we had Jesus saying these well-known and deeply reassuring words:

“Come to me, all   who are weary and whose load is heavy; I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11.28)

God knows what it is to face difficulty and challenge in this world because he went through it too in his Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus says to each and every one of us “Come to me. Bring your burdens and your cares. I will give you relief, I will give you help.” 

I find a very helpful prayer in all this is one written by St. Augustine (354-430)

“Father, I am seeking; I am hesitant and uncertain, but will you, O Lord, watch overreach step of mine and guide me. Amen.”