by the Rev Fred Rich, minister of Riddlesden United Reformed Church and leader at Grace Community, Keighley

FOR those people who follow the church year, we are now approximately half way between Easter and Pentecost.

Jesus is risen (hallelujah!) but not yet ascended, and the promised Holy Spirit is still to come.

Of course all these events actually took place almost two thousand years ago, but our focus now is on that in-between time.

Sometimes we can feel like we’re in-between times ourselves. Perhaps we’ve recently been on a holiday, and we’re now looking forward to the next one. However, at the moment it feels like we’ve never been away. The pressure of work and family life are taking their toll, and we feel like we need a break from that.

Where is God at times like this, we ask ourselves? Well, I believe that He is here with us now in the midst of all that we are living and experiencing. Be it the pains of arthritis, the pressure of deadlines at work, or the screaming of our own children or grandchildren as we seek to keep them safe and happy!

At times like these, by His Spirit, God is whispering to our souls, “Peace be with you.” Jesus comes to us with comforting words such as, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. This is the God who we can know personally, and who chooses to live in us by His Holy Spirit.

The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the God of all times and experiences. He is not simply the God of the tough times and the moments of joy. He is also the God of the in-between times too. May we recognise and celebrate His presence with us today, and every day!