Light in the darkness, exemplified by those who serve our sick.

I recently went through a long period of hospitalisation at Derriford. I promised the doctors and nurses that I’d do an article in the Chronicle affirming the tremendous work they do, which is often motivated by a sense of vocation. My motive for the promise of this article was in heartfelt personal appreciation of their genuine care and love during my hour of need.

The NHS is an amazing organisation even when things go wrong. It is made up of imperfect human beings, but my experience was worked through with great gratitude for the staff who have a Christian faith or belief in another faith or who have no faith at all. It is about normal humanity, with all the challenges of life, doing their best to support their fellow human beings who are in vulnerable and painful circumstances.

We clapped the NHS during Covid, but I believe we need to bear the staff up in our hearts and prayers. They have hopes and dreams whilst also facing the pressures we all face. Not to mention how they put others first in their patients’ hour of need.

Interest rates, increased mortgage costs and uncertainties of life can lay heavy on us all and the NHS staff feel it just the same. The Furlough scheme cost us £400 billion as a nation and we must recover from that. Global trends economically, politically and militarily are bearing heavily on all of us who don’t have our heads in the sand. Conversations I had with so many of the staff were insightful and encouraging considering that like all of us they have their personal challenges.

Personal faith in the face of difficult times

In 2022 I shared with our church that circumstances around the world were getting darker, but I felt things would also get lighter. The Pew Research Agency, which researches global religious trends, had previously reported that the largest religious community was the Christian faith with 2.4 billion followers; and 87% of the global population have a belief in a higher power. That demonstrates that most of humanity are looking for meaning and purpose.

The fact that many Christian communities across the globe are in totalitarian regimes where they are severely persecuted is not mentioned in our mainstream media. So, this is not about an easy belief that is self-centred or based on consumerism.

In 1857 Lord Acton came up with a quote which is so accurate for today: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” There are so many political leaders across the globe today who are making decisions which adversely affect us all. These are not just in totalitarian regimes, but also in liberal democracies. Integrity, morality and ethics are character issues needed to govern life through the good and bad times.

Challenges foretold, but there is hope!

The book of Mathew says: “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” They said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Mathew 24 verse 3 – 8.

For myself and those many millions across the world who share the same faith, those words mean a great deal. Jesus promises to be with us everyday in whatever situations we face and to make all wrong things right in the end. That is a lot to wrap your head around but it is something which has brought me great hope in recent times.

Finally, from a very grateful patient to those who know who you are. Thank you so very much for being there.

By Chris Cole, Presenter at Cross Rhythms Plymouth

Previously published in the April edition of the Plymouth Chronicle