Going round and round?

I have been sitting thinking about what to say to a congregation I haven't been in touch with for nearly four months and I only have seven months left with. The annual Methodist Covenant service is a good opportunity to remind people about direction and opportunities. I was reminded of passing this roundabout the other week in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, known locally as the "magic roundabout" - I used to dread driving lessons which included it. The initial reaction facing something like this is to panic, to think I can’t keep travelling and want to get out, because the journey is too complicated. But if you look at it differently and think it is only several little roundabouts in a row, you can tackle it. If you say, I am in control, and I can cope with the obstacles and the traffic coming at me in all directions, I can tackle it. I have the resources. I am in control.

There are people who face 2012 with great uncertainty, going round and round without confidence in their own resources. Our local Rector in his letter in the Parish magazine said one parishioner said he would rather not think about it when asked about hopes for a New Year. There are people worried about money, job security, health, relationships and we seem to have begun 2012 with a lot of stabbings and killings for no explicable reason. 

How do we help people find direction rather than go round and round in a circle of panic? Perhaps we need to begin to face up to our task to simply care for people and help them on the road. 

Surely we are to care, and be there for others. We are to care for one another, to help one another find direction, to be there pastorally when life is like a confusing roundabout and we don’t know what to do.

I like this prayer written by the current Methodist Vice President, Ruth Pickles, on Day 1 in the current Methodist prayer book, inspired by Hebrews 12: 12:

Gracious God, through your Son, you call us to walk in your way of service and sacrifice. We don't expect it to be an easy way; we know we will get tired, sometimes lost and disillusioned. But you promise always to be with us: strengthening, guiding, uplifting. Help us to trust always in your promises, that we may walk with determination, faith, courage and joy until we find our rest in you. Amen.