Today's contribution is from Mike Highton.
We shared in a day with Salvation Army officers in West Scotland in preparation, reading, studying the book of Isaiah and looking at the prophesies of the coming of the Saviour of the world.
To go to our library in Chester ‘The Storyhouse’ (a really good place, good coffee to), I walk by the Cathedral, almost a weekly visit, but outside the cathedral one Wednesday morning on a cold November morning was an ‘Angel’.
The knife Angel was created as a National monument against violence and aggression, a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime. It is a 27ft high sculpture, which Alfie Bradley designed and created single-handedly using over 100,000 knives surrendered and collected in nationwide amnesties. A stunning sculpture the angel looks down into his hands but from the despair sees hope. I was instantly reminded of those familiar words from Isaiah:
‘He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another’.
Isaiah 2:4f CEV
There are those times when in despair we call out to God, as we receive his blessings he gives hope even in what seem desolate times.
‘Come and see the fearsome things the Lord has done on earth. God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields. Our God says, ‘Calm down and learn that I am God”.
Psalm 46:8-10 CEV
Mike Highton
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