Heatwave
The UK is in the middle of a heatwave! The last few days have been sweltering. The Met office said, “For the first time on record, temperatures in the UK have exceed 40°C.”
There are weather warnings in place up and down the country as everyone finds ways to keep cool. Schools have been closing early and shops are selling out of fans.
London's fire service had its busiest day since World War Two dealing with several blazes in record-breaking temperatures on Tuesday, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said.
So why are we seeing such brutal temperatures? Most climate scientists say the answer is climate change. It’s not only the UK, but there are uncontrollable wildfires in mainland Europe and the west coast of America.
Before things got really hot, I was out running one morning and noticed that even though the grass was brown and dry, the surrounding trees where still green.
As I pondered this summertime view, my mind went to Psalm 1 which says…
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither –
whatever they do prospers.”
The Psalmist contrasts two types of people: those who are influenced by the ‘wicked’ or ‘bad’ and those who ‘delight’ in God.
It reminds me of when I was a child and my mum used to tell me not to hang around with the ‘naughty children’! Why? Because their behaviour could ‘rub off on me’! Instead, I was encouraged to be with the ‘good/kind children’.
In this Psalm the tree is by a stream. Its roots go down deep, and through them it draws water and nutrients which allows it to thrive.
I believe the message for us is this:
Do we have deep roots in God that nourish and sustain us, whatever the ‘weather’ may be like?
Is God the greatest influence in our life, or is it something else?
As you find ways to keep cool in these extremely warm days, let me encourage you to consider where your roots are, and who/what has prominence in your life?
God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader