Friends, welcome to another Musings from the Manse. I hope you have all been able to enjoy the good weather we have had from time to time since I last wrote to you.

As I settle into my new role as Minister with pastoral responsibility for Christchurch, I need to listen to new voices all the time and get used to new ways of doing things. As you would appreciate this means that I have to allocate my time in a different way, along with building bridges between myself and individuals who I am getting to know. As I thought about what to write for this edition of the Messenger and following on from verse one of 'Have you heard God's voice' Singing the faith 662, I was able to sit and reflect on all the voices that are in our lives. As we journey through our lives as individuals, I believe we must choose how and when we use our voices. I hope it is always through love and common understanding that we speak out seeking to follow the example of Jesus in all we do and say.

So here goes with verse two and the refrain.

Will you use your voice; will you not sit down when the multitudes are silent? Will you make a choice to stand your ground when the crowds are turning violent?

Refrain
Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace the pain and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow?

As I read this verse, I instantly thought about what does hearing God's voice as in verse one, free us to do in the light of verse two. For me the context of verse one was about engaging in a conversation with God; God is speaking to us where we are at in our lives and secondly, we are intentionally listening to God.

Having got that sorted, surely, we need to go and start conversations with others on topics that are close to our hearts. As we engage in these chats there may well be moments of silence, especially if the subject is a current 'hot potato'. As followers of Jesus, in a world that sometimes needs to hear a different narrative, one of justice, peace and compassion for all, we may find ourselves in the minority. It does take courage to stand your ground when the common thinking is saying what you are thinking is wrong. Friends, when this happens remember Jesus never took the easy route, he did what was right for the individual and people who were in front of him. As we journey through life, we all must make choices, some are easy but there are those that sometimes require us to pin our colours, as it were, to the mast. Those things that are just too important for us to let slip. For each and every one of us those things that are non-negotiable will be different, it may be refugees, the war situations around the world, climate change, inclusion and exclusion in all its forms in society at large or something else. Whatever it is, just know that God is with us in our struggles. If we have chosen the uncomfortable path, then trusting in God's guidance, strength and support is essential.

So, friends, I encourage you all to use your voices in whatever way you are able, be vocal, sign petitions, ask questions of those who have power and don't settle for corporate polite answers.

Ian
Rev Ian Couchman