The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

Celebrating with joy is a distant memory for many persons at this time. To feel lighthearted when you have lost loved ones can seem to be impossible, while losing our home and all of our possessions is an added nightmare. The economic climb will be uphill for quite some time, and will be a challenge to our ingenuity, but God will help us to make our way toward national prosperity in the next few years.

Whatever blessings we can count, now is the time to count them. Whoever lends us a helping hand, now is the time to cultivate gratitude. Where it is appropriate to convince others of their need to have faith in God, we may share our personal experiences of overcoming adversity and great tragedy, of finding comfort when bereaved and hope in despair, by God's grace.

In Acts 3: 3-10, we read of the moving story of the disabled beggar:

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.' And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, 'I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

We do need that spirit of joy and celebration today as we anticipate the spring that can follow this difficult winter. We have to open our eyes to see the beauty in acts of kindness and loving embraces intended to share strength. Those of us, who were not hit directly by hurricane Dorian, need our spiritual eyes opened to the many blessings we take for granted. All of us have to remind each other of the hope to which we have been called, the riches of our inheritance, and the great power that already resides within us (Ephesians 1: 18).

In times like these it is for us to prayerfully discern when and where to offer the opportunity to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. Are we willing to be this bold? Are we able to walk up to total strangers or people whom we know to offer a word of prayer if they seem to be in need of one? Are there other ways to share our faith effectively with sensitivity?

When we risk sharing our faith in appropriate ways, others will be filled with wonder and amazement at what God has done for us. If we are able to touch and bring change in the lives of others by our prayers or godly counsel, it will draw attention to our God who continues to heal bodies, renew minds, and restore wounded spirits.

In times like these we do need a Saviour and an anchor and Jesus Christ is still in the healing and saving business. How will they know of the joyful abundant life that God is offering through Jesus Christ, if we do not live it and proclaim it? Do you celebrate your faith with joy? Do you celebrate your faith joyfully as a family? Do we celebrate our faith joyfully as a church family?

What more can the Church do to highlight the joy of our faith and promote greater joy in believing? This is a question we each have to answer for ourselves, and live out that answer. What we believe should influence how we think, speak and act.

This is why our task in each generation is to teach Christian principles in order to promote integrity of character and consistency in behaviour. May we each celebrate our faith joyfully.

• Rev Angela Palacious, a motivational speaker and author of several devotional books, is an Anglican priest. She may be contacted at 393-9000 or by e-mail at angelapalacious@gmail.com.