June 28th – Conference Weekend – Psalm 16 – Joy and Contentment found in a life of God
Psalm 16 is one of the alternative readings for this Sunday and I felt was appropriate to use as this weekend is also ‘Methodist Conference’ when the business of our church is overseen and discussions and decisions are made. Psalm 16 expresses the psalmists (David) confidence and trust in God, acknowledging Him as Lord and source of all good. It emphasizes the joy and contentment found in a life dedicated to God, even in the face of hardship, and anticipates a future of eternal joy and peace. The psalm also highlights the importance of seeking refuge in Gods presence and delighting in ‘His holy ones’ – the noble ones in whom we delight.
On this conference weekend so many of connexional staff and volunteers will be congregating, coming together in God’s presence and will be delighting in each other’s company as they meet, not just to work, but to be in fellowship together, to find solace, refuge, understanding, solidarity and love in this place. There will be a number of us from the Bolton area travelling down to conference on Sunday – we are very proud of our methodist back-ground and despite the original, well documented, poor treatment John Wesley received when he first visited in 1748, he visited numerous times after and gradually developed strong links with the town and would later raise the local society up as an example to the rest of the connexion. He later quoted, following his last visit aged 87 ‘In the evening I preached in a lovely house in Bolton, to one of the loveliest congregations in England who by patient continuance in well-being, turned scorn and hatred into general esteem and goodwill’ . We are proud of our heritage – and are equally proud of our location – not the grey, grimy, industrial town that might come to mind when you hear Bolton mentioned but part of Gods beautiful Lancashire countryside and a place we will leave behind as we travel down the M6 to be part of the celebrations as our own minister completes her ordination at Shrewsbury and enters into full Connexion.
As she carries on that tradition, just like so many before, of God’s people hearing and responding to the call let us reflect upon some of the verses of Psalm 16 – “ Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup: you make my lot secure…………. Surely I have a delightful inheritance, I will praise the Lord, who counsels me……….I will keep my eyes always on Him – I will not be shaken. ……my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices……….You make known to me the path of life: you will fill me with joy in your presence”. Such powerful words for anyone entering a lifetime of working, as well as living in God, but for each one of us, whatever our role, this psalm is a reminder that whatever we may face we have a God who is our strength and will always provide and equip new disciples to continue the work started over 2000 years ago.
(Views over Bolton)
I heard the voice of Jesus say: ‘I am this dark world’s light:
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright’.
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him, my star, my sun:
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till travelling days are done.
(Horatius N Bonar, 1808- 1889. StF 248 vs 3)
Philippa Hill, Trustee
