I have recently been reviewing a book for the Church Times. The author is Annie Worsley who was an academic – a physical geographer whose specialism was landform. She and her family had visited the Highlands of Scotland for many years and in particular the more remote parts of Wester Ross. A decade ago she and her husband decided to trade in their busy lives in the North West of England and settle on a couple of old crofts in South Erradale to the West of the Torridon Mountains. They were both fond of walking and climbing and looked forward to getting better acquainted with this remote area. 

However as in many things in life, the best laid plans … Annie developed a debilitating autoimmune condition as a result of Lyme disease which reduced her to what she describes as “muddleheadedness and painful hobbling”. As so often happens, the plans we make are rendered worthless by events beyond our control. This was the case for Annie and her husband who were not able to tramp the Western Highlands together.

However Annie was a keen photographer and observer of the natural world.  She was able to get out for short slow walks and also observe the world around by looking out of the windows. So for several years she recorded what was happening in the vicinity of their home at Red River Croft in pictures and copious notes.  The book “Windswept”, that I was sent to review, was the result of her observations, reflections and recollections.  Annie adapted to her changed circumstances and her delightful book is testament to that.

Well that set me thinking about the extent to which God controls what happens in theworld. While Scripture affirms the sovereignty and power of God, it also provides examples when God doesn’t seem to be able to accomplish something. For example in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be unable gather Israel because they were unwilling –

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Matthew 23:37-38

or in the second letter of Peter we read –

“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:8-10

Of course many in our world will never come to God or to repentance. But even so God’s will isn’t simply imposed on us.  Without ‘free will’, we’d just be robots not free agents, able to respond to those around us and to the the God who loves us. As Peter says in his first letter –

“For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honour everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honour the emperor.”

1 Peter 2:15-17

In Mark’s Gospel we read –

 “And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Mark 3:34-35

Well brothers and sisters, through prayer and reflection we can endeavour to discern the will of God for us in our lives and make the most of the opportunities that open up, even if they may not be what we initially desired, hoped for or planned.

Blessings
James