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Viewpoint from Dr David Watson 15/03/2024

DAVID WATSONDr David Watson
Retired GP
Authorised Worship Assistant, St Andrew’s Church, Gorleston

 

Scenic Viewpoints 

Ordnance Survey maps highlight viewpoints. Views change dramatically with time, shadows change from dawn ‘til dusk, weather, the seasons and the years, minor changes in elevation and angle. The same scenic panorama, land and sea, mountains and rivers, but countless differing views
 
Just as a viewpoint is barely recognisable when seen in still summer sun or a dark winter storm. There may be a single subject on which authorities will passionately argue from differing perspectives. A talking scene would be oblivious of the differences and declare, “It’s still me regardless of how you view me”
 
dove leftArguing individuals descend into fights, nations fight over borders, passionate nationalists develop extreme views which degenerate to wars, and terrorists justify their actions with a total disregard to reason. Strangely these days the vociferous minority groups promote their rights with such aggression that the silent majority sit by lest they be considered unreasonable bigots, when actually their view may be more appropriate
 
Diplomacy says “let’s just agree to disagree”, or “nothing matters very much and very little matters nothing at all”
 
Consider the politician’s response to contentious policy matters; rarely do they give a pertinent direct view lest it be quoted
 
The world today is a scene of horrendous disarray. We see evil atrocities in wars, human trafficking, drug related crimes, etc; yet what we see as evil the perpetrators see differently to justify themselves
 
Dove rightIn contrast we do see humanitarian interventions.  Where do these come from? Many humans recognise the divine. What is the meaning of Divine? “Of or like God”
 
The Bible teaches that we are created in God’s image and describes God as love. Our Father in Heaven, God, is also grieving for his children suffering under the powers of the Evil one – Satan
 
The final scene for humankind is death and Jesus came to earth to suffer death by the evil influence on those who crucified Him
 
Yet His death was a loving triumph because of His resurrection to eternal life which He offers to all who put ultimate trust in Him. Eternity in heaven is free from any and all evil. That seems simplistic and barely relevant currently but that is where faith comes in. What we can’t understand we entrust to God
 
Christianity is different. Jesus commands:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, strength, and mind and your neighbour as yourself

 


 

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