Beloved in Christ,

As the warmer days of summer approach, many among us prepare for travels, while others will remain close to home. Yet whether we journey afar or stay rooted here in Great Harwood, our calling remains unchanged: we are Christ's witnesses and ambassadors in every place and season.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:1 (LSB), "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." This command reaches into every part of our lives. We are not simply to admire God from a distance, but to imitate Him — to reflect His holiness, His love, His truth — wherever we are.

Why is this so? Because we were made in the very image of God (Genesis 1:27). Being an image-bearer is not merely about sharing certain attributes with God, such as reason or creativity. It speaks to how we represent Him in the world. We are His living testimonies, carrying His character into every conversation, every decision, and every relationship.

Moreover, those who are in Christ are being daily sanctified by the Holy Spirit. As Paul writes in Romans 8:29 (LSB), "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son." Sanctification is the Spirit's ongoing work of reshaping us, so that more and more we reflect the perfect beauty of Jesus Christ in thought, word, and deed.

This is not a task for the "spiritually elite" or only for when we feel ready; it is the joyful duty of every believer. Whether we find ourselves resting at a seaside village, trekking through foreign cities, or faithfully labouring at home, we are always bearing His image before a watching world.

As disciples, let us remember that holiday times often bring both opportunity and temptation. Opportunities to demonstrate grace, patience, and kindness — but also temptations to forget who we are and whom we serve. Let us, therefore, be vigilant and intentional, seeking daily to walk in love, to speak truth, and to show forth the character of our God.

Wherever this summer takes you, beloved, remember this: You are an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a bearer of His image. May we each, by the Spirit’s power, walk in a manner worthy of the gospel, to the glory of God our Father.

With Love in Christ,
Francois.