A diminutive rowan tree sits opposite my prayer window,
dwarfed by the ancient larch and the younger but much more robust Norwegian
elm. Rather than one strong trunk, this rowan is a mass of intertwining trunks
of varying sizes.
This morning I noticed that between two gnarled trunks, on
the large size in this collection and bearing the scars of age, a slim,
unmarked trunk emerges and reaches heavenwards. No visible scars are there yet.
And on either side of it, the older trunks are there to support, to protect,
and to encourage.
When the Israelites went out to fight the Amalekites, Moses
watched the action below on the plains, where Joshua led the troops. As long as
Moses kept his arms holding his staff up, the Israelites prevailed. When his
arms grew tired and began to drop, the Amalekites gained strength. Aaron and
Hur got a seat for Moses, and then they stood, one on either side, supporting
Moses’ arms until at last the battle was over, and the Israelites had won.
A new Alpha course is starting online at our church. The
meetings will be supported by a team of pray-ers, Zooming at the same time but
also at other moments during the weeks. Those pray-ers are like Aaron and Hur,
holding up those who are in the front line leading the course.
Whichever role we are called to be in, may we play our part
with imagination, focus and faith that God is in it. The battle belongs to the
Lord.
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