Addition Not Subtraction

Speeches, even when on very special occasions, are only very occasionally memorable. One was made so when King George VI, quoted Marie Louise Haskins in a Christmas Day broadcast:

I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely in the darkness.”

And he said unto me “Go out in to the darkness. Put your hand into the hand of God. That to you shall be better than light. And safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the hand of God trod gladly into the night.

It is unnecessary to seek for a more appropriate thought with which to go in to the New Year, the past is history, the future is mystery, and here is the prayer, and the plan, to face up to what the way ahead holds for us. We are being encouraged to ask God to help us to live usefully and happily in His will and purpose for our lives. The faith in God, articulated in these words, is meaningful to those who having trust and confidence in Him, show it in their character and conduct.

As we think on what may lie ahead of us we are reminded of the necessity to shut the gate of the past and to open the door to the future. We need, of course, to take seriously the lessons of the past while listening to Shakespeare when he said: “What’s done and what’s past should be past grief.”

Someone else advised:

“Let us forget the things that vexed and tried us.

The worrying things that caused our souls to fret.

The hopes that cherished long, were still denied us.

Let us forget.

Let us forget the things that pained us,

The greater wrongs that rankle sometimes yet,

The pride with which some lofty one disdained us.

Let us forget.”

Many look back on by-gone days – the old extol their youthful times; the weak recall when they were strong; the sick when they were well; the disappointed when they had hopes. But there is no profit in dwelling on what was, the need is to accept what is, and to go on determined to live in the future as fully, hopefully and happily as we can, it could be that the best is yet to be.

Peter begins his New Testament letter by urging his readers to make their experiences in life a process in addition not subtraction. He says add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self control and the patient endurance which is the real test of your trust in God, and avoid any draining away of spiritual vitality. Your lives must not be complacent and unproductive.

The future will have its fears, cares and hopes. How we handle them is what matters. The reality, of course, is that in so many things decisions which affect us individually and collectively are taken by others. That is the reason why we live in the hope that in our uncertain political situation decisions will be taken, and things made to happen, to give us the peace, real and permanent, that we need so urgently. It has to mean that overtures, and responses to others will be agreeable, and beneficial, to the people whom they represent in whatever capacity.

We, the people, must do what we can to bring about that for which we hope. There is responsibility and opportunity to be involved in the bringing together of people estranged from one another for religious and political reasons, to change old hatreds into new happy relationships, and to prove that people can live with their differences to make a better country for everyone.

There can be no better new year resolution than the one that aims to contribute to that proper purpose. However others may view themselves and their duties as citizens the Christian, copying Christ, must show friendship, express hope and work for peace in this divided and troubled society.

Canon Dr. S.E. Long