Thought for the Week

One of my favourite hymns is ‘Lord, you have come to the seashore’.

As someone who came to Kintyre from the noise of the city, this lovely hymn helps me feel very close to God in the beauty of this wonderful coastline.

As I walk by the seashore, I can imagine Jesus strolling along, skimming stones, watching the waves, feeling the sand between his toes and smelling the salty fresh sea air.

It was by the seashore that he called his first disciples, and it was by the seashore he taught and healed and loved.

It was by the seashore that Jesus first said: ‘Come, follow me.’ ‘Lord, you have come to the seashore, Neither searching for the rich nor the wise, Desiring only that I should follow.’

It was by the seashore that he appeared to his broken, devastated, grieving disciples in all his resurrection certainty and then they could say: ‘O Lord, with your eyes set upon me Gently smiling, you have spoken my name. All I longed for I have found by the water, At your side I will seek other shores.’ His call is the same today. What will our answer be? ‘Lord, see my goods, my possessions; In my boat you will find no power, no wealth. Will you accept then, my nets, my labour. Will we be like these first disciples and answer; Lord take my hands and direct them. Help me spend myself in seeking the lost, Returning love for the love you gave me.’ And then know with certainty: ‘Lord as I drift on the waters, Be the resting place of my restless heart, My life’s companion, my friend and refuge.’ Enjoy your walk.