JUNE 2025.
With the change of season comes the flourishing of lush Guernsey flora. It so happens that one of the plants that proudly protrudes into the lanes, is none other than the stinging nettle. I wonder how you feel about stinging nettles. If you were raised in Guernsey or the UK, you may well have a tenuous relationship with them, filled with memories of getting stung as a child. Even if you’re new to this part of the world where stinging nettles contribute so prominently to how enjoyable a short trousered walk may be, I’m sure that you’ve had a surprise encounter or two with the plant. As we think about the our local communities and church, and the families that we’re a part of, I wonder if you’ve been stung by someone in one way or another. I’m almost certain that you have been. Relational tension in the local church in first century Rome was high because of differences in backgrounds and perspectives among the believers in the congregation. In Romans 15, Paul challenges the Romans to accept one another, just as Christ had accepted each of them. Doing so would bring praise to God, (Romans 15:7). For obvious reasons, most of us would quickly reject the stinging nettle as a plant of little value. But the interesting thing is that there are a wide range of nutritional and medicinal benefits offered to us by this plant. All we need to do is to look past the sting to see the beauty and value of this easily ostracised plant. That’s how Christ accepts us, and that is how we should accept others. It might take patience and perseverance, which is why the preceding verses say “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 15:5-6). As NLC, let’s continuously work towards Christ-centred unity, for His glory.
