March Update

Dear friends, 

Spring is one of my favourite times of year, as the physical creation all around begins to awaken from winter, with signs of life all around. Spring is a particularly joy-filled occasion as it coincides with the great story of our faith, that death has been conquered and new life is available for all to embrace and receive. 

This newness of life is something of a sign of things to come. Creation speaks beyond its physical reality to the spiritual reality of a new heaven and a new earth that are on their way. We live, the other side of easter in the waiting time, where the Kingdom of God has arrived in Jesus Christ, but we wait, with all of creation, longing for its fulfilment. As the physical creation is renewed again this spring, so we look ahead to the great renewal of all things, when God, at the end of time, comes to dwell with His people for ever, heaven coming down to earth, the Kingdom coming in its fullness and everything made new. At that time, Eden will be restored, and we who hope in Christ will enjoy the unhindered presence of God forevermore, a time of endless joy, celebration and bliss. 

It is this hope that sets us apart. We fear not death's sting, but look forward with hope-filled expectation to a new age to come, where all is wonder and delight. This spring-time, may the wonder of physical new creation, prompt us to look forward with hope, to the great things God has in store.  

With love,

Gareth