The kingdom of heaven is at hand

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17

Today is our day off from study. A day reserved for rest and reflection. I had decided that what we would do once a week is have a trip out somewhere like the coast as we are surrounded by some wonderful places here in Brittany all within an hours travel and it would be wasteful not to. So after looking at the map I quite surprised even myself as we headed for the local town centre!

Yesterday a lady I was speaking to from Weston Super Mare slipped into our conversation that the local lake was quite a nice walk around. I had seen it on the map and sort of presumed it was just a body of water, there are several around of varying sizes that look natural and probably not easily accessed.

With Ruth Fazal wonderful praise playing worship on the cd we got into the little town of Callac. We headed down the road that I presumed it was just off, but there was no sign of it. We turned around as we headed out of town and I was surprised that I seemed to have missed it. There was no signpost’s to it or I had come the wrong way?

Bertie looked agitated at me, wondering when we were going for a walk. I drove slowly back up through the town scouring the area intently without any success and continued up to the supermarket. There had been nobody to ask so I thought I would ask someone in there. I recalled the lady who worked on the fishmongers speaking in English to a couple last week so I found her and asked. She was most helpful and her English was much better than my French, she drew me a little map to bridge the language barrier.

I had turned down the wrong road, it was only the next turning along, so close but not there! ‘La Vert Vallee’ was actually only 500 yards from the centre and we had nearly missed it! We parked and found the trail around the lake, it is beautiful. The path is low and very close to the water which is a long expanse of flowing water, a forest on one bank and a municipal campsite on the other. The path takes you on a beautiful tranquil walk in the midst of peace and wildlife, through a kaleidoscope of different colours. There are signs to inform you what types of trees, butterflies and birds to watch out for. It was a fantastic experience that we nearly missed out on.

When Jesus said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The day had not come yet when His Spirit would be poured out for Christ had not yet given up His life, nor Resurrected, nor Ascended. But it was Our Lord and saviour telling of what was to come.

In the Gospel of John 14:23 we read, ”If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

The Lord promised to make His home with you and this is where He is to be found. Many never look for the way, many never find the way.

My question today is simple, where are you in this story? If you know the way, are you like the first lady, waiting and watching for the opportunity to point people to The Way? Or like the fishmonger who will try to explain The Way to someone in any way you can to make sure they know? Or have you maybe missed a turning and not sure which turning to take or who to ask for directions?

It is all our responsibility to look for the lost along the way and help them find The Way.

God bless