We live in a noisy world
Dear Friends,
We live in a very noisy world. Many things vie for attention, both audibly and visually. Adverts, flags, voices. The common theme among them seems to be dissatisfaction and discontent. Adverts tell us we deserve more, better, faster products – and that we would be foolish to be satisfied with anything less. Flags are flown to make us feel proud of Britain, but not Britain as it is today. Brazen voices dominate the news, and the most absurd opinions seem to draw the greatest attention. Nobody seems to be happy or content. The world is full of anger, frustration and violence.
I had a heart-to-heart with the previous Bishop of Selby and told him about how lonely the world (and the church!) makes me feel at times. He responded with great wisdom. “Imagine”, he said, “a large swimming pool on a busy day in the school holidays. It’s loud! But realise that most of the noise comes from the shallow end, where a few children play. Don’t be fooled. The hard work takes place at the deep end, where the regulars are quietly swimming their laps. They are the ones who keep the pool open. They know what it takes to swim and keep swimming.”
It’s like that in the world around us. The loudest voices, the most extreme opinions, come from the shallow end. But most people in our community are on the other end of the pool, quietly doing their part, caring for each other, creating the backbone of our society.
In a loud and noisy world, the church takes inspiration from Jesus to quietly and lovingly serve the needs of others. Our backgrounds and nationalities are diverse, our political opinions may vary widely, but we are one family – children of the same heavenly Father. Come and join us at the deep end.
Love and prayers,
