January 2026
I was recently thinking about a friend who has long had a great love of maps. Thorough and meticulous in her research she pours over every part of a map for weeks, absorbing the lay of the land with local points of interests as well as geographics noted. Having taken in the enriching information, she sets about planning a trip which will cover the area of the map studied. Being well informed, her trips are always greatly enjoyed.
Another source of enriching information is of course the Bible. It provides us with a long history of God’s people; stories; teaching; love, forgiveness, restitution; clear direction, questions and lots more. A resource for our own life journeys.
With the recent celebrations of the birth of Jesus, we look again at why God became human.
God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent (all–knowing, all-powerful and all–loving). He came in human form bringing love, hope and salvation to all of humankind, offering us The Way to eternal life through his own human birth, life, death and resurrection.
His coming in human form was the fulfilment of prophecies (see Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Mattherw 1:22-23) and this verse from the gospel of John illustrates both the human and divine nature of Jesus well:
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Some people ask, where is this ‘all-everything-good’ God in the midst of anger and suffering?
As disciples of Christ, we know He is with us, alongside us in our suffering and broken heartedness. We know and believe these things because we have faith; faith in the Word, Love and Grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:9) and scripture tell us of the great suffering, thirst, hunger and treachery Jesus experienced in His ministry.
So, how can we respond to the question asked?
We can show compassion by listening, really listening, to those who find it hard to understand God is real, let alone ‘with us’ in our suffering, and to those who are angry with God.
We can share experiences of the grace and goodness of God in our lives, during both difficult and good times.
We can show courage by acknowledging that we as Christians do not have all the answers, as the ways of God are beyond our full understanding – we are human, not divine, so there will remain elements of mystery for us all.
And we can pray for discernment, that the Spirit will give us the right words to offer those asking the questions; and for the Love and Light of God to be revealed to all, in His timing.
Loving God, we thank you for our many Blessings. Grant us wisdom to receive your Word and open our eyes to the needs around us. May we be absorbed by the rich lessons found in scripture, becoming channels for your Love, Word and Hope to others as we journey in faith. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Revd Tish Bird
John 16:32b-33
Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”
See previous Reflections here