Page 2 - PT-Spring-2021

The Plain Truth Editorial | Mary Hammond

Keeping your eyes

on the horizon

stormy, late autumn trip across the grey where the most powerful and the richest gain and so many
Irish Sea in a ferry packed with passengers fall behind. We have seen where that left us. Or we can go
A is certainly not a pleasurable experience. with the flooding life and purpose of the resurrection of Jesus,
which changes all things, and choose a better future for all.
But back in pre-pandemic days (remember The overwhelming generosity of God to us should inspire the
those?), when travel was without restrictions, same by us, in everything from private acts of love and charity
this was one journey I remember well. to international aid generously maintained. We have received
As we sailed away from the Heysham coastline overwhelmingly, so let us give generously.’
in the North West, bound for the Isle of Man, In this Spring issue of The Plain Truth, we bring
many of the late season holiday makers soon felt you a selection of articles that we hope will make both an
inspiring and encouraging read. As we start to emerge back
rather queasy as the vessel rolled from side to into society after a year of isolation for very many of you
side, battling its way through the choppy waves. reading our magazine, we cover topics that are relevant,
Now I wouldn’t say that I was a particularly ‘good practical – and a little thought-provoking too.
sailor’ – but I had done a little background reading on this Reflecting some of the elements focussed upon in Justin
particular journey which stood me in good stead for what Welby’s Easter message, our cover story Coming up for
lay ahead. Previous travellers on the four-hour route had air after Covid-19 expresses the author’s view of the world
warned that the Irish Sea crossing could be pretty rough infused with the Christian message of hope. It states that
and challenging at that time of year – some even suggesting there’s much to repair and change if our world is going to
a better alternative would be to fly! But that wasn’t an be fairer and more just – where much planning is needed.
option for me. It was looking like a trip to be endured, Picking up on this theme of planning, our popular author,
rather than enjoyed. Brother David Jardine, discusses the timely subject of
But I had come across some advice that had some ‘preparation’ – whatever the task ahead may entail. (And the
scientific evidence – and certainly worth a try. (Although key role prayer plays.)
it sounded a bit like an urban myth.) The suggestion was Of course, we’ll all have an opinion on how we should
to find a seat in the middle of the ship or ferry (on deck, in refocus our individual and collective efforts post-Covid.
fresh air, if possible), front-facing, and keeping your eyes (As I write, some sort of future vaccination passport is
on the horizon. Apparently, the scientists say this works causing some controversy.) And we may hold a very
best when you have a land mass or object on which to different view from someone near and dear to us – or in our
focus – and the island was in sight for most of the journey. same church congregation. Eva McIntyre explores the topic
Evidently, sea sickness is caused in part by conflicting of divided opinions (page 8), and that we should disagree
sensory signals to your brain – your eyes are telling it agreeably – especially in our churches, to remain a united,
everything around you is still, while your inner ear balance focussed organisation.
mechanism (the vestibular system) says you’re moving. In unity, Christians across the world fix their eyes on the
Looking at the horizon can help give your brain a point of horizon at sunrise each Easter Sunday, celebrating the risen
reference, allowing it to sense the motion of the ship and Christ, and believing in a better future. For all.
your body’s movement with it.
And, you know, the last 12 months living through the
pandemic have been rather like that unpleasant ferry
journey. Although we know it can’t go on forever, and there
must be an end – often our attention to what’s going on all Photo Credit: istockphoto.com/ dth8x
around distracts our minds and our focus and life can seem
to be out of control.
But it’s at times like these that we need to reflect,
maybe refocus our priorities and plan ahead. And all of
these things have been the emphasis within the Christian
community, in particular over the recently celebrated
Easter period. In his Easter Day message, the Archbishop
of Canterbury, reflecting on the pandemic and looking
to the future, commented that ‘…in this world we have a
choice over the next few years. We can go on as before Covid,

2 The Plain Truth Spring 2021 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk