I am writing this on the day when David Cameron has announced that he is stepping down as an MP.
Just a few hours after his announcement the BBC website had an article headed up “Into the Sunset: Charity, academia, obscurity. Life after No. 10.” This article looked at the options for Mr Cameron going forward and also at some of the experiences of his predecessors on leaving 10 Downing Street. The implications of the article were that life is going to be pretty tough for Mr Cameron for the next few years.
This article reminded me of a letter I received about a year after I gave up my career as an accountant to train to be a Vicar. A letter came on headed notepaper from the institute of accountants I had previously been a member of. The letter was addressed to “The estate of the late Mr Jonathan Randall”. I wrote back (having decided not to employ a ghost writer) and said that I was very pleased to report that there was indeed life after accountancy. I didn’t get a response, but later discovered that a computer error had caused the institute to assume that everyone who gave up a career in accountancy had died!
Life presents its challenges to us all. A change of career, leaving 10 Downing Street, a new school, retirement and other events can cause considerable uncertainty in our lives. We can either worry about the future or we can choose to make the best of where we currently are. Jesus discourages us from worrying by asking which of us is able to add an hour to our life by doing so. Rather Jesus encourages us to live for the Kingdom of God and for the things which will have eternal value.
One of the many privileges of being a Vicar is that I am often asked to conduct funerals. When I ask the family to describe their loved ones it’s rare that their job is mentioned. Even less often do I hear how much money or property the person had. Rather, people tell me about the personality of their relative, their characteristics, how he or she showed their love for family or friends, treasured memories and much more. We most remember our relatives by who they were, rather the material things they owned. In other words it’s those attributes of eternal value which we most treasure. May all of us live to store up treasure which has eternal value.
You are all welcome to join us at any of our services at St. Peter’s – details are here or give me a call. One event which you might be interested in is taking place at St. Peter’s on Friday October 7th at 7.30pm. It’s a concert by Duo Diez as part of the Oundle Music Festival, who are an innovative and eclectic musical collaboration between guitarist Dimitris Dekavallas and violinist Violeta Barrena. For the event details and to order tickets, click here.
With my prayers.
Jon Randall (Vicar) 01733 240339; vicar@saintpeters.co.uk
Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.