Last Friday morning in her devotions at the Ladies’ Craft Morning, Marleen Ellen led another morning-devotion on the “names of God”.   She pointed out to the ladies, that although she is a Christian, things don’t always go smoothly for her and that might make some of them ask: so why should we bother with Christianity?   Good question; especially so in the light of our recent spate of bereavements, injuries and illnesses.

Marleen compared life to a journey in a boat.   Sometimes it’s a wonderful trip with smooth seas, wonderful sunrises and sunsets and gentle, refreshing breezes.   At other times the skies are sullen, the views obscured by mists and the journey seemingly going nowhere.   At still other times raging storms spoil the trip and threaten to devastate the vessel.   In that context she mentioned that in Isaiah 9 the Lord is called the Prince of Peace.   In some ways it’s as if her boat has an anchor that goes down somewhere into the depths and holds the vessel secure through the most violent storm.

I was struck by that analogy particularly after the funeral of our sister Mary Moes last Tuesday morning.   One of the children had been speaking to a workmate about the death of mum.   This colleague found it strange that there was not more grief and sorrow over the death of a dearly loved mother.   It was a wonderful opportunity to let this workmate know that not only had Mary had a full and rich life, living to the ripe old age of 90, but that for many years already she had longed to go and be with her Saviour in glory.   In fact several people commented at the funeral last Tuesday about the funeral’s underlying note of rejoicing that Mary Moes had gone to a far better place.   We know that, because Mary Moes was a child of God through faith in Jesus.   Jesus was the anchor for her soul and He’s the anchor for all her children and grandchildren who trust in Jesus.   That gives Christians a totally different outlook on life when things get tough.   Jesus is our Prince of Peace.

Last Friday Marleen touched on another Bible verse that brings that out in a rather profound way.   It’s the words on which I so often base the benediction as we are dismissed from our morning worship service.   “And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   The word for ‘guard’ that Paul uses in the Greek text is a word that was used for a garrison or a military guard.   That garrison would prevent both a hostile invasion as well as protecting the inhabitants of a besieged city from needing to flee for safety.   The military guard provided all the protection that was needed.   In the same way the Prince of Peace guards and protects the life of the believer.

So why should we bother with Christianity?   First of all, of course, because it is true!   Secondly because God demands it!   But having said that, we can also add that the Christian faith does make a huge difference when things get tough in our daily life.   I recall once seeing a painting of a seascape with a raging storm.   Trees and shrubs are bent over in the storm and the spray flies off the ocean.   But secure in the crags of the cliff-face sits a seagull on its nest almost oblivious to the dangers all around.   What a difference it makes when the Prince of Peace stands guard over our life.

John Westendorp