Making the most of the journey As April begins, in the church, we come to the end of our Lenten journey to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, in anticipation of our joyful celebrations of Easter 3 days later. Our Lenten journey is one of reflection, penitence and understanding a little more of what it means to ‘Pick up our crosses, and follow Jesus.’ It is a sobering pilgrimage, but if we make the most of the journey, then the celebrations on Easter day are even more special, and full of hope, as we remember all that Jesus has done for us, so that we can know that our sins are forgiven, and we have new and eternal life in him. But so often in life, we find ourselves searching out the quickest way to get from A to B and loose sight of the fact the journey is all part of how we get to our destination in the first place. In our rush, is there a risk we might miss something important along the way? By the middle of April, I will be getting ready to head off on my three months Extended Study Leave, or Sabbatical, for want of a better word, and as part of that Sabbatical, I will be going to Santiago in Portugal, but I intend to make the most of the journey, and go by foot, walking the 488 mile route from France, over the Pyrenees and then across Spain. This is a trip, that is as much about the journey, as it is about the destination. I hope that by the journey, I will shaped and changed, as I take the time to slow down, to learn a different pace and just enjoy being in Gods wonderful creation and the great outdoors. As I journey, I am looking forward to the encounters I may have with fellow pilgrims along the way, and I am reminded of the disciples, being joined by Jesus on that first Easter day, as they journeyed by foot to Emmaus. And so my encouragement this Easter time, is for us all, to slow down from all the rushing, and actually make the most of the journey, less we miss the most important thing. May God Bless you this Easter time, and I look forward to sharing my sabbatical experiences, when I return in July. Reverend Heather
