Turning Away Or Facing Up

No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away from the coldness inside
Just a world that we all must share
It’s not enough just to stand and stare
Is it only a dream that there’ll be
No more turning away?

Chris often sends me random songs. I hadn’t met Pink Floyd’s ‘On the Turning Away’ before. It presents me with the choice. I can either turn away, or face up to the needs of those around me.

The easy way is the path of least resistance, least effort, least discomfort. My non-action implies turning away…

…Musing on the old hymn…

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong

To face up and not turn away I need to be strong and brave. It’s not an easy choice…

Last night we went to the football. It was good to be back – a pre-season friendly. A crowd of over 10,000 were able to watch Norwich City for the first time for many months.

If Norwich are to survive in the Premiership this season there can be no turning away. They will need bravery, determination, skill, teamwork, strong bodies and minds… facing up to the challenge…

Musing on Isaiah’s words: ‘Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…”’ (35:3-4)

Many friends encounter their challenges, problems, demons. Sometimes they’re daily and draining; sometimes they’re unexpected and sudden… and I meet mine too.

We can try to turn away or choose to face up. Isaiah’s advice is to be strong and face up… with his God. His prophecy-poem concludes: ‘…They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.’