I wonder if you have ever been subject to a case of mistaken identity?
To my amusement I read the other day about a group of priests who went into a pub in Cardiff to celebrate the ordination of one of their number. Thinking they were a stag party in fancy dress and anxious to avoid any trouble, the pub manager initially threw them out. The priests managed to convince the manager that they really were priests and an embarrassed publican offered them a free round of drinks by way of an apology.
When Mark Fuller wrote in last month’s Gazette that he was leaving Yaxley, several people mistakenly assumed it was me who was going. If that was a cause of celebration I’m sorry to disappoint you – I’m still here! I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mark publicly for the huge contribution which he made to life here – both in the church and the community. We wish Mark, Becci, Josie and Ethan well in their new home and ministry in Portishead.
It seems to me that many of us think our identity is linked to what we do, what we have, what school we attend, etc. However, I believe that’s a real case of mistaken identity. Back in Genesis, the Bible tells us that we are made in the image of God. Early in his Gospel, drawing on the language of Genesis, John tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus is given power to become a child of God. That for me is our true identity – children of God who are invited to live in his everlasting Kingdom.
If you’d like to explore more about your true identity as a child of God please feel free to join us at any of our services – see our events calendar for more details, or get in touch to find out more.
With my continuing prayers,
Jon Randall (Vicar) 07939 449255; vicar@saintpeters.co.uk
Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.