by Pastor Neil Harris, Worth Valley Community Church, Keighley

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news" – Isaiah 52.7a (the Holy Bible, New International Version).

We live in an age of mass communication.

The world has never before been so well connected to each other.

If there is a newsworthy event, it spreads instantly around the globe through television, social media and the internet.

In ancient times, people did not have this luxury and so towns and cities had to rely on much slower forms of communication.

In the prophetic words of Isaiah 52, we have the picture of a city under siege. Its people are awaiting the news of the outcome of a nearby battle. If the news is victory, the city is safe but if the news is defeat, all is lost.

With no other way of passing on a message, the news of the outcome was sent between towns and cities by a runner. Each city would send them to literally run ahead with good or bad news.

Imagine the joy when a smiling runner comes with news of peace and the city roars excitedly with joy, like a modern-day athlete in a stadium hitting the finish line and winning first prize.

The message of Isaiah’s prophecy for Christians refers to the future coming of Jesus Christ into the world and his message of peace.

So too, where our feet take us each day can make a difference to the communities around us.

How can you be a bringer of peace this week? Is there someone in need that you can help? Could you offer some time to charity or make a donation to a foodbank?

Let us all choose to have beautiful feet wherever we go, to be people of peace not strife and let us all make that positive practical difference in our communities.