Our dark days are nothing compared with horror of war, says Sheffield minister

Earlier this week, I listened to a man responsible for a local swimming pool speak. Fighting for his own cause, he said swimming pools were safer because of the chlorine and concluded swimming pools are safe.
During this Remembrance period, reflect upon what these people sacrificed, faced and won, says the Reverend Peter McCoolDuring this Remembrance period, reflect upon what these people sacrificed, faced and won, says the Reverend Peter McCool
During this Remembrance period, reflect upon what these people sacrificed, faced and won, says the Reverend Peter McCool

Everyone is fighting their own cause. Repeating something enough, changing it a little, does not create truth! Only the truth will be true, regardless of what we want it to be – swimming pools may well be safer than some other places that does not make them safe!

During this Remembrance period, reflect upon what these people sacrificed, faced and won. They did not only win a war, a moment in time, they won freedom and a future for the generations to come. They ran toward horror and danger, pain and death to win today and tomorrow.

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We are asked to avoid danger in order to preserve life. Yet, many people seem so consumed by a moment in time, preserving this hour of pleasure, regardless of the outcome and effect upon others.

The Reverend Peter McCoolThe Reverend Peter McCool
The Reverend Peter McCool

One of the Welsh ministers put it well when he said words to the effect of, this is not the time to ask what we can do in an attempt to stretch the rules as far as we can, this is a time to ask what we should do to keep everyone as safe as we can.

In this war, we are asked to make the sacrifice of staying safe. We have financial packages in place to help sustain us while people working in the front-line face danger, assist casualties, preserve health and keep us fed.

In those ‘great’ wars, people simply faced the enemy for as long as it took and paid the price in full.

Jesus said: “The truth will set you free.” He said, if you follow My teaching then the truth will set you free and you will be free indeed.

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During the War, Winston Churchill faced immense pressure to surrender or make a deal with the enemy. He knew the truth, stood fast and we know the result for us.

The King came to the Prime Minister and roused him in those moments of despair leading him to give that speech which drove the nation through those dark days.

The days are dark for us in this time, but we do not face the horror of those brave generations.

The King of Kings, Jesus cries out to us all. Put your trust in Me, stop trying to invent your own versions of the truth, I am the truth, the way and the life!

There is life before us, Jesus lights the way and wants to lead us into the future. He knows about sacrifice, He made the greatest, He gave His life that you may have yours. Now, we are asked to preserve ours and let Him lead us.

The Reverend Peter McCool is pastor at South Sheffield Church, Greenhill Parkway Lower Bradway – see southsheffieldchurch.co.uk