To boldly go where no one has gone before….
Sad news earlier this summer as we learnt of the death of Pioneering Star Trek actor, Nichelle Nichols, Lieutenant Uhura, and that most famous split infinitive in Sci Fi and English Language history was spoken by the actor William Shatner as Captain James T Kirk in Star Trek, one of my favourite shows. Shatner has himself boldly gone where very few have gone before by making a trip up into space in Blue Origin, the sub-orbital capsule courtesy of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
Very few of us will have the opportunity to go up into space but day by day, week by week we have opportunities to boldly go where no one has gone before. As Christians we are called into relationship with God and invited to be part of the Kingdom of God, to incarnate the presence of God in the communities we inhabit.
As we learn to listen to the Spirit of God, we will get an inkling of the life that we are called to live, the ‘good works that are prepared beforehand for us to do’ (Ephesians 2: 10). There are unique ways that we can demonstrate to those around us the presence of God. Not just by sharing our faith but by doing things that demonstrate our trust in God, our love for God.
There will be times when we have the sense that God is calling us to boldly go – not necessarily at the warp speed of the United Star Ship Enterprise NCC1701 but in a quiet unassuming way to see a need and to have the courage to fulfil what we believe God is calling us to do.
There are many examples in the Bible of men and women who boldly went during their daily lives; the Old Testament character Joshua comes to mind and the way he was encouraged to be strong and courageous (or brave) as he took over from Moses and lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land.
Our opportunities to ‘boldly go’ can be such things as reaching out to others – to offer help, ask for help, to encourage, to sit down and get to know them. We can feel daunted and unequal to making the first move, but God wants to enable us and equip us to open our hearts to others, to listen to them, to help, to be a friend, to show God’s love in a difficult situation or to try and right a wrong. I am praying that some sponsors for Ukrainian Families arise after our successful Café Church at Callow End – where stories from charities, our local Councillor , host sponsors and Ukrainian families spurred on our thinking to help those in need take refuge, with over 200 others, in our part of the county. We also explored what more we can do to help in general – more anon.
Whatever IT is – large or small – God wants to enable us to ‘boldly go’ and be his presence in the mess and busyness of our daily lives. This month sees your churches open for the Heritage Days – this is something that we haven’t done before; but these days, and associated events surrounding them – like a Songs of Praise service at Guarlford and the Powick Playing Fields Fete, will give us, as your church, time to throw open the doors so you can see what we get up to in worship and faith each week. For some in the congregations, doing just that has been a big ask but we are opening our doors so you can be reminded of what is inside.
On a more sobering note, the community and parish magazines across Guarlford and Madresfield with Newland and Powick and Callow End are at serious risk of closing unless help to revitalise and take them on has happened. The Powick Church Council has taken the sad step of authorising its closure after the December/January ‘23 edition but it is hoped that a new magazine for the community, with church input and support, will arise from the tomb. But that’s over to you to ‘boldly go’ and make it happen.
Let’s ask the Lord where he wants us to ‘boldly go’ and believe that he will give us the words to speak, the courage to act in a way that brings life and light to the lives of those around us. Little things count and remember that we are often called to do small acts rather than big dramatic things. Small acts do demonstrate the presence of God to our communities.
May the Lord bless and direct us as we ‘boldly go’ in the days and weeks ahead. Rev Gary