What a difference a week makes

Looking at the pictures of Britain’s new Prime Minister visiting the President of the United States at the White House yesterday was a reminder of what a difference a week can make in someone’s life.  This time last Wednesday Sir Kier Starmer was on the campaign trail, this Wednesday there was a seat waiting for him in the Oval Office. Life can change very quickly!

Of course, the same is true in reverse for all who are no longer in office because of last week’s vote.  Salaries, titles, cars and staff have all been surrendered as their lives have moved on too.

This quick turnover is also apparent in the daily headlines.  Today’s news can often sit just briefly on the frontpage before being knocked off by something more interesting or scintillating tomorrow.

Looking back on a few headlines from July in years gone by brings back memories.

Some have been long remembered such as 30th July 1966 when England won the World Cup.  Others perhaps not so much such, like York Minister’s South Transept burning down after the cathedral was struck by lightening on 9th July 1984.

Of course, in the old days, yesterday’s newspapers were used for nothing more than to wrap today’s fish and chips!

Perhaps we experience something similar in our own lives too.  At the time a particular crisis or challenge can be all consuming.  Yet, given the passage of time, as life moves on, its significance can diminish; we might even end up years later wondering why we worried so much about it.

Of course, there are some headlines and some issues whose importance and relevance stays the course of time. I suspect that the headline for 21st July 1969 with a picture of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon will never fade.

And I feel that about the stories and teachings of Jesus; that they have a relevance that transcends generations.  It’s amazing in our fast-changing world that the bible stories we’ll hear in church this July in the time of Charles III were being listened to by church goers in the time of Charles I. Our task, whether we are a preacher, listener or reader, is to take these Bible Headlines and apply them to our contemporary life.

I used to sing in Sunday School Tell me the old, old story. It’s a story that I believe is ever new and worthy of our attention.