Mark Carey writes

Our Bible verse for 2023 is Isaiah 57:14

And it will be said:

“Build up, build up, prepare the road!

Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

As the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to tear and a time to build - my sense is that this is a building up time. Of course, this is tricky as we see around us so much tearing down. So, how do we participate with God in his work of build up?

Don't give up - build up::

Sometimes we are the obstacles to the progress of others - we need to work out how we decrease so others can increase. How we contribute so much to the lives of others that they are able to thrive in the full life that comes with Jesus. Serving is a key part of how we get out of the way of others - it occupies us and means we are less able to meddle.

Don't make obstacles - remove obstacles:

Sometimes we need to challenge our own wilful ability to make obstacles for others. This can be by doing the very thing Jesus said he came not to do: condemn the world. If it's not Jesus job to condemn others then it is not our job either! During the course of 2023 there will be lots of ways presented to us that tempt us to tear down and not build up. Having a rant on social media is just the tip of the iceberg. Let's choose not to create anything or reinforce anything that gets in the way of people approaching Jesus. For this we need lots of wisdom and to stay very close to Jesus.

So, have a good year of building up!

Rev. Mark Carey Christ Church Bridlington Network