For the last few years the Summer months have been
an opportunity for me to spend some time on Easdale Island where at least three
generations of my father’s family were quarry workers. (On the left is a picture of a group of quarry workers in nineteenth century Easdale). I have never gone there without
gathering some new information and this year was no exception. The strange thing is that my father
never said very much about his ancestors. There could be many reasons for that but having checked
the records of Inveraray Jail I am assured that there were no major
scandals.
Every family has its story to tell, however, and
from what I have gathered the nineteenth century Easdale Buchanans had their
days of celebration but also moments of drama and, sadly, times of
tragedy. Babies died, injuries
were sustained at the quarry, money was often scarce. In that they were no different from many other families but
it was their own unique experience.
It was God’s will that all His people would have a
story to tell. Not just about the
twists and turns of their personal lives but what He had done for them in
calling them to be His people, in liberating them from slavery in Egypt, in
staying with them through their years of rebellion and unfaithfulness. Israel would have a story to tell about
her God and there is a constant refrain throughout the Old Testament that it
was the responsibility of each generation to pass that story on to the
next. This is the Psalmist: ‘One
generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.’ (Psalm 145: 4)
The Bible is a testimony to the power of words not
least the spoken word. Words
strengthen, inspire, empower. And
this was the purpose God had in the telling of His people’s story. It was not just a way of remembering
but a way of experiencing the continuing presence of a loving Heavenly
Father.
I am writing this on 28 August 2013 the 50th.
Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s great speech at the Lincoln Memorial in
Washington, better known as the ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. These are words which have come down
the generations to inspire those who believe that the world doesn’t need to be
under the pall of injustice, violence, poverty and greed. There is a better world not just to
dream of but to work for.
The Gospel is a story of hope because it tells us
how God through His Son Jesus began a process of renewal at the heart of
humankind which will end with the glory of a new heaven and a new earth. That is worth passing on and may this
be at the heart of all our worship and activity in the Church season which lies
ahead.
