In a sermon packed with anecdotes, the pastor, Rev. Peter Richmond explained to the large congregation gathered in Carringtons Restaurant on Sunday afternoon how to cope with life's irritations.
Pearls are formed when an oyster suffers a small irritant, such as a grain of sand. Peter encouraged his listeners to accept the irritations and wait for the blessings that come from them. He quoted Romans 8.28: "We know that God works all things together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
In Old Testament times Joseph was thrown down a dry well by his jealous brothers. His dreams of greatness must have seemed futile now, and he could have sat there blaming his father, or his brothers, or himself, or God - but none of those things would do him any good. His future was in God's hands and all he could do was wait.
Peter continued: "The point is that when you are down a dry well, it doesn't matter whose fault it is. It is unproductive thinking. What do you do? You say, 'Well, God, it doesn't matter how I got here. It doesn't matter who is to blame. I am angry; I am hurt, but God I have trusted you with my life and here I am in this mess. What are You going to do about it?'
"What I am saying is to look for the promise. When something bad happens, don't blame God but say, 'God, what can you do to bless me?'
"Finally, keep loving people. We love people not for their sake or because they deserve it. People will use you; people will lie to you; people will cheat you; people will steal from you; people will abuse you and manipulate you. Jesus says, 'Love them anyway.'
"The basic message of the Bible is to trust God and love people. Don't just love God and trust people. If you trust people, you will be hurt, but trust God who will never fail you and then love people recklessly. Give yourself away. Don't let the fact that people will use you and abuse you keep you from being somebody who cares for them and loves them."
Hesed meet every Sunday afternoon at 4.15 in Carringtons Restaurant, The Atlantic Hotel, The Esplanade, Tenby. The informal services include the usual mix of praise and worship in song, prayer and Bible-based teaching. Lift access is available and refreshments are served afterwards. All welcome. Tel. 01646 681805 for details.