“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:2
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There is something remarkable about a lighthouse. It does not stop the storm, calm the sea, or remove the waves. Its purpose is to shine through the darkness and help those at sea find their way safely home. In many ways, our lives can feel like that sea. Sometimes everything seems calm and settled, but there are also seasons of uncertainty, pressure, difficult decisions, family concerns, unanswered prayers, or simply the exhaustion of carrying too much for too long.
In such moments, we may wish God would remove the storm immediately. Yet sometimes God's promise is not that there will be no storm, but that He will be with us in the storm. Through the prophet Isaiah, God gives His people this beautiful assurance: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Notice that God does not say, “If you pass through the waters,” but “When you pass through the waters.” God knows that difficult seasons will come, but He also assures us that we never have to face them alone.
Fear is a natural part of being human. We can have faith and still have questions. We can pray sincerely and still wonder when the answer will come. The presence of fear does not mean the absence of faith. Sometimes faith simply means saying, “Lord, I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I know that You are with me.” That trust can give us the strength to take the next step.
Scripture also reminds us that difficult seasons are not necessarily the end of our story. Joseph experienced betrayal, separation and imprisonment before seeing God's purpose for his life. David spent years in the wilderness before becoming king. The disciples experienced fear and confusion before understanding God's greater purpose through Jesus' death and resurrection. Their difficult seasons were not wasted. God was working even when they could not see what He was doing.
Our present situation is not necessarily our final destination. What we are experiencing today may not be what we experience tomorrow. A season of waiting may prepare us for something new. A difficult experience may deepen our compassion. A closed door may eventually lead to another opportunity. We may not understand everything God is doing, but we can continue to trust the God who walks with us.
September is also a month of new beginnings for many families. Children return to school, young people begin new courses and universities, and families settle again into new routines. Some may approach these changes with excitement, while others may feel nervous or overwhelmed. Let us remember our children and young people especially in our prayers, asking God to give them wisdom, courage and strength. May they know that their identity is not determined by their achievements, examinations or future careers, but that they are precious in the sight of God.
On Sunday, 27th September, we will celebrate Harvest Sunday as one family in Christ. This is a time not only to give thanks but also to share. The blessings of God are never meant to be hoarded but to be extended, especially to those in need. As a congregation, we will once again offer our Harvest gifts in support of the homeless through the Rivercourt Methodist Church Homeless Project. In doing so, we live out the Gospel call to love our neighbour, ensuring that others too may experience the goodness of God.
As we enter this new season, let us come together with thankful hearts, trusting God's presence in every circumstance and remaining generous towards those in need. May we remember that, whatever challenges we face, we are never alone when we walk with the Lord. He is our provider, our sustainer and our hope.
May God bless you and your families abundantly.
In Christ’s love,
Revd. Prasad Vasanthakumar
Minister, London Tamil Christian Congregation