by Billy Clayton, St Barnabas Church, Thwaites Brow

DO you remember the time when you knew everyone who lived in your street and they all spoke to you?

Can you remember the days when you got on a bus and people talked with you? If you were going a long distance you could share your interests with the person sitting next to you. You could look out of the window and share comments on the view. Yes it could be annoying if you wanted to think or to read but people generally did not act as if you were not there.

I know it all sounds rather boring but to sit on a bus when everyone is on a phone, playing a game or reading a tablet, is not interesting either.

We seem to have ceased to be interested in what others think or believe and have become more and more concerned only with what I want. Surely what is wrong with the world is that we have stopped considering the other person. We are no longer interested in their point of view. We have no time to attend to their needs, because we are too busy with self.

In the Christian life we are surely meant to put God first, others second and self last.

Deal with others as we would like to be dealt with. No judging of others but looking for the good in everyone we meet.

Belief in God gives us hope for the future, and the future involves everyone, so we need to be caring and loving to all. Maybe what is really wrong is that belief or faith is lacking and so the future appears to be hopeless.

It is time to renew and strengthen our faith which in turn will lead to hope for the future and a universal sharing of love and concern.