Bishop’s Blog - Sunday 15th July 2012
This year is proving to be a year full celebrations, not least with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Great Britain hosting the Olympics Games. Despite the harsh economic climate and indeed the never ending wet weather people all over the country are coming together and having a good time. What is clear is that community spirit is still alive and well.
This week the Queen, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations visited Hereford, Worcester and Shropshire. I had the privilege of being part of those celebrations in both Hereford and Shropshire. On each occasion large crowds gathered. There was a tangible sense of joy and delight among the people, especially upon the Queen’s arrival. Her incredible life of service is appreciated by so many and across the ages.
Last Wednesday the Times printed a film review of Chariots of Fire, now showing in the Empire Leicester Square London. It is very unusual for a 31 year old film to make a comeback in quite this way. However in this Olympic year the film has found a new lease of life to another generation. It tells the story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell both Gold Medal winners in the 1924 Olympic Games. Abrahams and Liddell are total contrasts. Abrahams, despite his privileged background, is driven to prove himself, feeling the outsider. Liddell, the Christian seeks to express his faith through his athleticism. The Times reviewer warmly wrote: ‘It’s a surprising feeling to be left in tears by muscular Christianity.’
In this Jubilee year the Queen has been very open about her Christian faith. It is clear, that for her, her faith is at the heart of who she is and what she does. Our Queen’s life is one full of purpose which at its core is the service of others. Liddell in a moving moment in the film declares ‘I believe God has made me for a purpose. He has also made me fast…’ Both, in their distinctive ways, point out that God has a purpose for each of our lives and encourage us to find it out and then live it.
+Alistair