Biggles FM June 2007 - Jim Burke

 
In a few days time it will be two years ago since the London bus and tube bombings on 7th July 2005. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones that day, all because some people want to advance their ideas, through violence and death. It doesn’t seem to bring any solutions, apart from more violence and death.

A few weeks ago I read an article in the newspaper -- it was about someone who had survived one of those bombs, but she had also lost both her legs in the blast. I will let Gill Hicks tell her own story, as it’s a lot more powerful coming from her. I am convinced that we have to face up to all sorts of loss in our lives, and also grieve for what has gone.

This is how Gill describes what she felt she needed to do.

‘They took me to the hospital morgue in a wheelchair to say goodbye.
There on a large cushion, lit by a down light, were my limbs.
I didn’t expect to see both of them; because one had been lost in the Tube tunnel and I thought how wonderful that now they were together again.
The legs didn’t look like legs of course.
They were completely blown apart.
But, the feet were perfect, with their immaculately painted toenails, wearing my favourite nail polish. It was beautiful seeing them that way, unharmed, having been protected by the shoes I was wearing.’

She asked to be left alone with them.
She touched each toe; memorizing the shape, remembering what is was like to have feet.

‘Up to that point I had been longing for the use of my limbs. Seeing them I realized how much I missed them.

Hello my legs: my dear dear feet!
I’m sorry; I wanted to let them know that I would never forget them.
It was an odd experience, being with part of your dead self.
Nothing could have prepared me for it.

But it was a good thing to have done – an important part of my recovery to be able to process that my limbs were gone…. I realized that I would never leave another footprint.’

You could read Gill Hicks book called ‘One Unknown’, about how she sees ‘life as full of possibilities.’ I totally agree with her. I was inspired to buy it, by reading some of the extracts that I have shared with you today. But I will definitely continue to gain inspiration, wise advice and ideas about living life to the full, from another biography: that of Jesus.

I love reading about him and am caught up in the account of his life, death and resurrection and how his life inspired others, and still does today. People thought he not only talked sense but also backed this up with amazing actions and unselfish love. Nothing is more amazing than the fact he was willing to die for us so that we could live a better life.

2000 years ago some people wanted Jesus to lead them in a bloody and violent revolution against the Romans, who occupied the land of Israel at the time. But Jesus had a very different way: he sacrificed himself, as those bombers believed they did; but not to try to take as many lives as he could; he wanted to save as many lives as he could.

It’s amazing how we can deal with grief and loss like Gill Hicks did, if we choose to accept and even embrace it. It’s amazing the difference that Jesus can make in our lives if we accept that he died for us and that he is alive today. He’s waiting to embrace us and take away our pain and loss. I hope and pray that Gill Hicks meets Jesus, if she doesn’t already know him; after all, as she says, she sees ‘life as full of possibilities’.

She also says something else that I think that Jesus would agree with.

‘I don’t feel despair for myself – only for what continues to happen in the world.’

So Gill has done something about it.

She has become an ambassador for an organization called Peace Direct, which helps local peacemakers in conflict areas.

Jesus did something about the mess the world is in, and still wants to help today, but in partnership with us to change our world for the better.

Who do you work with to bring a better future to your local area?

At Potton Vineyard Church we are committed to helping build a better community in all sorts of ways, and you’re always welcome to join us.

I can echo Gill Hicks’ words: ‘I don’t feel despair for myself – only for what continues to happen in the world.’

And I think that’s what Jesus was saying 2,000 years ago and is still saying today, and he wants to take that despair away if people will let him.