The source of true security

Two of the churches of which I am minister suffered from break-ins within the last week.  It's something which I have had to deal with several times over the years in various churches.  The strangest occurrence came when someone actually broke OUT of one of my churches in Sheffield (we never quite got to the bottom of that one, but despite the damage done, it did create a little humour!)

I'm never quite sure why people think that it will be worth breaking into Methodist churches.  In my experience, the most someone has found worth taking has been a few food items from the kitchen or the odd small items of petty cash.  In one of the recent break-ins, the intruders managed to prise the back off the church safe.  I'm sure that they were disappointed to discover that the safe only contained old record books etc. and nothing of any value.  Perhaps it might have saved them time and effort if we had put a note on the front of the safe to that effect!

It is sad, of course, that the respect given to places of worship, which was the norm in days gone by, hardly seems to be the case these days.  Churches and other places of worship appear to be as regular a target as any other properties.  In the recent cases with my two churches, the main problem caused was the mess which the intruders created and the disruption to the ongoing programmes in the churches.  For example, a playgroup session had to be cancelled.  I don't suppose that those who were responsible for the damage to the property gave a second thought to all the children and families who were affected as a consequence.

I happened to be reading the local village newsletter yesterday, which included a report from a local police officer.  The report contained guidance on steps to be taken to help prevent burglary.  The advice included instructions to close all windows and doors at night: difficult instructions to follow during the hot summer weather which we have experienced this year!   

I have found myself reflecting on some words of Jesus:

'Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.'  (Matthew 6:19-21)

There is the potential for every earthly possession to be taken from us.  What can never be taken from us is the love we find in a relationship with the living God.  If we try to find security in possessions (a big car, house, bank balance etc.), then we will probably be constantly concerned for their security.  If, on the other hand, our security is on our relationship with God, then we need have no concern, for God's love lasts for all eternity.  That's true security!