Perfick!
January 7th 2024 (Week 51)
1 Peter 5:10
Anyone who knows me well will also know that I often use the word “perfick”, particularly in emails. It’s Pop Larkin’s favourite word. For those who are not familiar with H.E. Bates's classic novel The Darling Buds of May, it’s what the story’s main character always said when something made him happy. Larkin was portrayed on television inimitably by David Jason some years ago.
Perfick is clearly an imperfect word and Pop Larkin was equally imperfect. He was, in fact, a bit of a rogue, albeit a loveable rogue. He was fond of too many cocktails, didn’t want to pay his taxes, stole birds from his neighbour’s land, and lived with a woman who had born his numerous children without becoming his wife.
Larkin reminds me that I`m not perfect either. In fact, nothing in this world that we live in is perfect. Everything is broken; the earth, our ecosystems, the weather, you and me. None of it works as it should because our disobedience and sin have damaged it all.
Fortunately, we have a God who accepts us readily with open arms and is waiting to help us with all our daily struggles. “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God.” Isaiah 43: 2-3 (Living Bible).
I am reminded that when Patrick Glover, then the Bishop of the Free State (Bloemfontein), South Africa, generously wrote an introduction to my first collection of devotionals he said that “life is a journey…….we are faced with the same challenges and beset by the same weaknesses but there is no need to lose heart because Christ is with us every step of the way…..life’s a journey”.
On this journey, we will all, even as Christians, face all kinds of trials. It might be relational issues, financial problems, or failing health, but none of us is immune. Fortunately, in his first letter to Christians who were scattered across Asia Minor Peter provided encouragement for us all, “But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.”
That’s the hope that we have as Christians. It’s a certain and perfect hope. If you haven’t yet put all your trust and hope in Jesus and been given that same reassurance now is the time. As we begin this new year it’s the most important resolution you can make.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you give hope and your perfect peace to all those who put their trust in you.
Neil has been a Christian for nearly thirty years and prior to joining Gatehouse Church spent all his Christian life at Christ Church with All Saints Blackpool, where amongst other things he was a leader in their Campaigner Ministries children and youth work.
Neil is an award-winning and widely published writer. Over twenty-five years he has written for a range of mainstream media including The Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Financial Mail on Sunday as well as Reuters and numerous magazines. How To Books published his first non-fiction title 100 Ways to Make Your Business a Success and he has recently added The Great British Property Scam.
He has also taught Creative Writing extensively for Blackpool and the Fylde College, The WEA, and Lancaster University and launched www.seasiderswrite.com a community-based creative writing project funded by Arts Council England. Writing as C.J.Neill he is also a published novelist.
You can find out more at www.neilbromage.com or drop him an email at neil@neilbromage.com
Neil Bromage, 06/01/2024