Comment by Harborough churches: Finding a deeper, richer meaning in sacrificing our own comforts, desires and wants

Every week, the Harborough churches write for the Harborough Mail. This week, it is the turn of Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican Team
Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican TeamRev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican Team
Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican Team

Viewpoint by Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican Team

“Alleluia…Christ is risen! He is risen indeed…Alleluia!” This is the familiar saying that Christians share at this time of year in the Easter season. We do so to celebrate the enduring truth of Jesus rising to new life after sacrificing his life for us, and in so doing,

drawing us back to the loving heart of God.

Whatever is happening in our world, this event over two thousand years ago can still have enduring meaning for each of us, knowing that God loves us all so much that he gave his only son for us.

Another familiar phrase, this time uttered by Mr Spock in Star Trek, is “It’s life Jim but not as we know it”. This probably echoes some sentiments for each of us as we look back over these past few months – the time that will be synonymous with the devastating effects of Covid-19 all across the world.

Even as I write, the effects in India are catastrophic and, despite each country battling the effects still, much aid is being directed there to help those desperately in need.

The personal cost physically, emotionally, financially, mentally and spiritually has affected each of us in a real and deep way. The cost probably is not fully known even at this moment in time, both locally and all around the world.

Perhaps life has not been as we know it lately but maybe some of us, in some ways, have found a deeper, richer meaning in sacrificing our own comforts, desires and wants. They have been replaced instead with a greater sense of other people and how we can love, serve, help and sacrifice, even for those who are very different from ourselves.

Perhaps too, in being denied the opportunity to do many of the activities we had all taken for granted, despite the obvious pain, we have found new rhythms which are better for our planet, better for ourselves and better for others.

As I reflect on my faith and all that has happened in this past year, I am reminded that I am not a Christian, or a Vicar for that matter, because I know a lot about God; I’m a Christian because amazingly I’ve come to know God spiritually. And more importantly and

wonderfully, I know that he knows all about me. That is true for each of us, and Jesus is there with us through the trials and tribulations as well as all the joys and celebrations.

As the chocolate, spring bulbs and excitement of Easter are fading, each of us can know the enduring truth that will lead us and sustain us into newness of life, whatever that may look like in the future for us all: “Alleluia…Christ is risen! He is risen indeed…Alleluia!”

By Rev James Pickersgill, Team Vicar in the Harborough Anglican Team

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