A Reading
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ (John 8: 31-32)
And this is the will of God, that I shall not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. (John 6:39)
A Thought
On windy days, once I have finished the list of chores I have been given, I like to step outside with my kite. A short length of string is all that is needed to raise the kite into the wind funnel, after which the kite can soar as the string holder spins inside my grip.
My kite has a single string attached, so I am not able to control it like a stunt kite. The kite is free to traverse across the sky as the wind takes it, enjoying views of the sky above and the fields below. I stand below, watching, and holding securely to the string holder, which tugs the kite back into position if it tries to move too far in any direction.
In its pure simplicity, it is for me a period of relaxation. Time away from the crowd; my kite dancing in God’s creation. When time is up, the kite is slowly pulled in as the string is rewound, and carefully dismantled into its protective tube.
When we acknowledge the identity and sacrifice made by Jesus, our eternal destiny is secured and we become free from the rightful consequences of our sin. We are freed from our guilt. Remarkably, we also remain free to make decisions about what we do, and where we go, but we now understand that we operate within a new set of parameters: to love our neighbours.
We are connected to God by the Holy Spirit, who tugs us back when we stray off course. The string will not break – Jesus confirms that he will not lose anyone who has given themselves to him. The string keeps us at the right elevation. We are at peace, able to enjoy the journey through life.
At the end of our allotted time, God winds us in, to our new home in heaven. There is no doubt about where we are going – God holds the thread of our lives firmly in his hand.
A Hymn (MP 1072)
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
from life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from His hand;
till He returns or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
Amen