MESSAGE FROM Interim moderator Rev. Stuart Davidson
Dear Members & Friends of Paisley North Church,
The passing into 2024 usually happens just after midnight on Hogmanay when your chosen “first footer” walks through the front door with a lump of coal, some black bun, a black cat and maybe a wee bottle of whiskey all held precariously in their arms as they cross the threshold. This at least is the picture I hold in my mind from many years in my younger days conducting this role. Back then I had longish jet-black hair, was tall and handsome (that’s what my mum said anyhow!) Gladly, I never lost or broke anything and only once was I left outside in the freezing cold for ages before tapping on the windowpane only to be remembered as the bells had already chimed in the New Year.
As we say farewell to 2023 and all its joys and sorrows, we enter into 2024 sometimes uncertain of what the New Year will hold for us and for those we care about.
I was struck this morning by the bible text from Peter’s letter – “Cast all your anxiety (cares) on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Charles H. Spurgeon who died in 1892 was in his day an influential pastor and author. When Charles wrote about this verse, he spoke of how by casting all our burdens upon our Lord, it’s like casting what to us is a crushing burden onto our God for whom this burden is only like a small piece of dust. Our God invites us to throw our cares upon Him for He cares for us, just like Jesus said when He spoke of God’s provision of all we need being the same as He feeds and cares for the birds of the air.
Psalm 30:5b puts this wonder of God’s care in this way, “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Charles goes onto write that God loves us as much in times of trouble as in times of happiness. God will walk with us through the joys and sorrows and whatever we may be experiencing it won’t last forever.
As you and I enter into 2024, we’re encouraged to fear not, to lay our burdens down, to pass over our worries and anxieties to our Lord not to be picked up by us but to be carried away by the one who loves us more than we know. As seen in the person of His Son our Lord Jesus who lifts from the believer the burden of sin and death offering instead New Life as He walks with you and goes before you day by day by day.
May the loving presence of our Saviour be yours as we pray for all of creation and all its people. Lord have mercy and send help we pray as we turn back to You.
Stuart Davidson (Rev)
07717 503059
