Christianity is about how the ‘bad’ in life can be redeemed

AS I’m writing this, the rain is pouring down. It can feel miserable when it is raining, and rain can stop us doing things we’d planned.

Yet despite all our feelings about rain, we need it, and it is life-giving.

Without enough rain things can get very difficult indeed. In the rest of our lives there are many things which happen which can make us feel miserable, which can cause our plans to be cancelled and which we complain about. I wonder how often we look at the positive impact and whether we truly consider whether good may also arise as a result.

It isn’t about labelling “bad” things as “good”, and it isn’t about denying the bad and the impact it has, but it is about looking to see if the bad can be redeemed rather than written off.

Far too often in our society and culture we are quick to judge and slow to offer second chances. We miss out on so much that so many people have to offer if we act like that.

The truth is that if we look inside ourselves, we all fall short, and we all get things wrong. We all need second chances, and we all need others to forgive us our faults and then focus on the best in us.

Rain when it is falling can stop play, but allow the water to soak into the ground, and it is the rain which causes plants to grow, leading to all the wonderful biodiversity we see around us.

At the time, when we face challenging situations, it can cause things to be cancelled and it can stop things being done. But allow the challenge to pass and the consequences can also be growth for us and for all that we do for others. Those others can then respond and the benefits can quickly grow.

Christianity is founded on the basis of second chances, third chances, and as many as we need! Christianity is centred on tremendous good coming out of the most horrific execution of Jesus. God is there and God’s churches are there, not just for the good times, but most importantly to help us get back up after bad things happen.

The last 18 months have been incredibly bad for many, many people, but it has also seen so many people doing so much good for others. If we build on that good, if we continue to support and uphold

It can feel miserable when it is raining... but we need rain, and it is life-giving Ian Hill, right

each other, and if we keep looking out for and looking after each other, then amazing things can grow as a result. God has been with us through Covid, God will be with us beyond this pandemic, and God (if we let Him) will help us to make Hinckley a better place because of all that we have been through, in the same way that plants can grow and look beautiful because it has rained.