Letter from Jon, March 2019 

 Dear Friends
 
‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’
1 Thess 5:16-18
 
I am just back in the office after a few days break.  Fiona and I had booked a couple of nights away near St Andrews and it just happened to coincide with the warmest, sunniest February days on record.  It was wonderful to walk through woodland covered with snowdrops, to walk along the glorious Fife coastline, to sit on the beach and gaze out on the vast expanse of the sea, to picnic in warm sunshine.  It would be fair to say that we both felt absolutely blessed.  Following our Sunday message a couple of weeks ago on being a thankful people I realised that this was an easy environment to give thanks in, and we were incredibly thankful to have had these days. 
 
I do realise, however, that life is not always like that.  There are times of great blessing where you feel like you are just soaking in God’s goodness and blessing, but there are also times for all of us where the world is darker and colder.  As I read these words of Paul to the Thessalonian Christians, who were enduring suffering and persecution, however, I know that his words are not trite or patronising, but born out of his own life and experience.  He speaks of joy, of prayer and of thankfulness in all circumstances and it strikes me that the three are so connected.  Our continual thankfulness in all circumstances comes from that constant connection with God (which is the essence of prayer), being aware of his presence and involvement in our lives in the best and worst of times.  Our joy is born out of that deep thankful dependence on God.
 
As I mentioned in my brief message that Sunday, I believe that thankfulness is not an added nicety to the Christian life but is a key part of bringing transformation to our minds and our lives, and a thankful people are a people who bring light and life to the world around us. Let me encourage you to continue in thankfulness, to find something each day to give thanks for, to extend thanks to those around you, and as we take ground together let us be known as a thankful people.
 
Love 
Jon