NAVIGATION PANE

 The news that BP had finally capped the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico brought a great sense of relief to an area whose marine and wildlife has been devastated by the outpouring of millions of gallons of oil. The greatest tragedy was, of course, the loss of life that happened when the explosion first occurred.

The President of the United States soon led the worldwide condemnation and warned BP that they would be expected to fully compensate those whose livelihoods had been ruined.

Now after months of uncertainty and many failed attempts to cap the leak the end seems in sight. Work now goes on to secure a permanent end to what has been one of the greatest enveironmentical disasters of modern times. Sometimes in life our actions can lead us totally in the wrong direction. Before too long the consequences can even affect those we love as we have allowed our own selfishness and arrogance to dominate our lives. That’s why we need the assurance that despite our foolishness that God loves us still.

As in the story Jesus told of the father who welcomed home his wayward son, so God accepts us and forgives us despite our stubbornness and slowness to learn from our chequered pasts. The moment we truly repent of our sins the floodgates of God’s love are opened and we are assured of Jesus’ promise that we will never be rejected or turned away. The truth of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus is that here there is a permanent and everlasting way to deal with the enormity of our sin and we can find lasting peace and forgiveness.

It cost Jesus everything and is freely given to all who know that they have got things terribly wrong and who allow His grace to heal the wounds of our rebelliousness.

‘Ransomed, healed restored, forgiven, who like me your praise shall sing!’ 

- The Rev. David Jones