Maggie Thatcher

Picture -Gettypicture

Maggie Thatcher - I doubt anybody who lived through the 80s will ever forget her. She provoked a reaction in everybody. You either loved her or hated her.
She will be remembered as the first female prime minister, the Iron Lady, The Falklands Victor, and the Lady who took on the unions.
She gave the appearance of  a woman of conviction, was a fine orator, and a dominate figure of the late 20th century.
She was of Methodist stock, and we can not deny that it had influence upon her. However at times she could be irreligious, and use the scriptures at in a derogatory way at times including speaking of the Pearly Gates as rusty. Her government in de-regulatory mode attacked the sanctity and advantage of the Lords Day. It is sad that many churches today have cast away this valuable gift God gives to his people. However she brought in section 28, and largely believed in a moral society.
A day after her death, the air waves having being full of recollections, opinions sort and given, we are non the wiser as to the most important question about her life - that is how did she die? We are told she died of a stroke, which is no surprise for a frail lady of 87, but did she die in the Lord or not?
History will judge her achievements - but what is fame and victory?
Paul says he counts all this as dung and dross - that he might win Christ.

Knowing God by Suffering.

Job was a man who is high commended not just of man - but by God himself.
But at the end of Jobs trials this is his confession

I have heard of thee with the hearing of the ear but now mine eye seeth thee.  
(Job 42:5).

 But Job you might say you even sacrificed for your children in case they had offended God in their actions, such was your view of Gods Holiness. Job learnt more of God through his sufferings than in his prosperity.

Paul tells the Philippians that they are called to believe and suffer for his sake (Phil 1:29). Perhaps not how we want to view our christian pathway, but we must expect to suffer. It may not be to the extent that Job had to , where he was left with nothing except his life.

In suffering we should seek Christ more, and seek to grow as we are drawn to him in our suffering and find their our comforter.