I have to confess I have been feeling rather smug over the past 5 months. After the serious deluge of rain in October, and also probably as a result of heavy groundworks lorries thundering up and down to a new housing development, the road towards Hadleigh collapsed and the Highways Agency were forced to close the road. They duly erected barriers, which some determined drivers moved and drove through, (at considerable risk to themselves). Concrete blocks now prevent all but walkers, cyclists and motorcyclists from using the road.
As a consequence, our road is pleasantly quiet and is now a frequent route for my walk into the town along the road – hence my smugness!
However, my smugness was recently deflated when I attempted to join friends for my regular Friday Cycling Club ride. The farmers have recently been flailing the hedgerow and the debris, of vicious blackthorn was strewn across the road. Also, after recent rain storms and consequent wet and soggy fields there was grit and lumps of mud to add to the mix.
Yes, you’ve guessed it – a puncture! (Before I even got as far as Hadleigh).
In our faith, are we sometimes smug? Do we sometimes think that we have it all sorted, only to be pulled up short? Last week I mentioned about going into our local Primary School and being quizzed by 5- and 6-year-olds. Sometimes we need to be asked those questions to reaffirm to ourselves why and how we believe.
Sometimes in life things appear to be going along fine and then, suddenly we are pierced by a thorn, and stopped in our tracks.
The great thing was, that instead of cycling off on their ride, my cycling buddies came to find me, and waited patiently whilst I fixed my deflated tyre – offering words of encouragement and holding the various bits as I battled with the offending tyre.
When we hit trouble spots, there are those who come to our aid. God similarly comes to our aid. He may not remove the problem, (I had to repair the puncture myself), but he is there as a guide, and encourager and support, whatever we are facing.
Prayer: Gracious God, when the road falls away and we are diverted, keep us safe.
When we are smug and complacent, send us those questions that make us think. When we are deflated, and stopped in our tracks, help us to recognise that you are there with us, offering to help us overcome whatever obstacles we are facing. AMEN