Richard's Reflections (August 2025)

I know that some of you enjoy taking photographs, and many photographers like to have a sophisticated camera, with lots of settings and adjustments. For most of us, these days we are happy to use our phones or iPads to take pictures. The quality of them is actually very good.

I remember the days when taking a good photograph was more complicated. For my 12th birthday I was given a good quality camera, together with a light meter. Before taking a picture, it was necessary to use the light meter to find the correct exposure setting on the camera. You then had to estimate the distance between the camera and the object being photographed. You then needed to make sure the focus was correct so that the picture was not blurred. It was not easy to take a picture in a hurry!

But the focus was important so that the picture would be clear. And it’s the same for us as we live our Christian lives. We need to make sure that our focus is clear. As we have been going through the Epistle to the Philippians on a Sunday morning, we have seen that the focus of the Apostle Paul is upon the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the key verses in the epistle is Philippians chapter 3 v 10:

I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

Our focus must be always upon Jesus, too. As we face difficult times, he will be with us through them. We can know his resurrection power, as we in a small way participate in his sufferings.

And, as we think of reaching out to others as a church, it’s good for us to remember that the reason we do anything is for Jesus. Yes, we are concerned for the people around us, but the motivation is that we want to please him more than anything else.

These words are based on that verse:

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you,

there is no greater thing:

you’re my all, you’re the best,

you’re my joy and righteousness;

and I love you, Lord.

Graham Kendrick

© Make Way Music

CCL 120228

Love in Jesus, Richard