Search me O God and know my heart

Please note:

This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors.

It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events.

Hymn ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’ (Verses 1,3 & 5)

Richard: Introduction

Welcome to worship this morning at Kettering Citadel Salvation Army, on what is World Mental Health Day. I’m Major Richard Gaudion, a Salvation Army officer. Professionally I’m also a psychotherapist specialising in mental health and well being as part of my work with the Salvation Army’s counselling service. During this time of pandemic the impact on the mental health of many people, including children and young adults, is a profound challenge for society as a whole. At times it is difficult to know how to respond.

Music, and singing our theology has been an integral part of The Salvation Army since its inception. We’ll be drawing on this heritage this morning as we consider the help faith and music can bring in supporting our mental health and wellbeing.

The International Staff Songsters of The Salvation Army are helping us in our service today. Founded in 1980, the Songsters reach thousands of people right across the UK and around the world presenting words and music inspired by scripture to enhance personal devotions and corporate worship.

As we continue in worship together please join us in prayer.

Opening Prayer: (Hilary Bromage)

Bible Reading (1): Psalm 139 vv 1-4., 7-10,23,24 (Martin Davis)

ISS Song ‘ Still’ Ruben Morgan words and music/arr. Paul Sharman

Richard: That song is a reminder that even in our darkest days the Lord is King, a strong tower, and a place of refuge.

Many of the songs chosen for today were written and composed as a result of challenge or trial. Before we hear our next piece of music.

‘When God Comes Near’, the composer American Salvationist William Himes explains how he and lyricist James Burnie were inspired to write this very personal and challenging song.

Testimony- William Himes

ISS Song. ‘When God comes near’. Major James Birney words/music William Himes music

Prayers: (Rosemary Steadman-Allen)

Bible Reading (2): Matthew 11:28-30 (Neil Lacey)

Hymn ‘Be still’ David J Evans words/music. Thankyou Music/Adm.by Capitol CMG publishing

Richard: Message

“Come … take … learn ….”
‘Jonathan’, not his real name, contacted me last year. He works in a care home and shared with me his experience of holding the hand of a resident as they died. For ½ hr after the death, Jonathan couldn’t speak to his colleagues because he was so upset. ‘My job is to support others,’ he said, ‘but I can’t remember the last time I felt well. All I ever hear is my mum’s voice, “Don’t make a fuss,” so I just seem to soldier on.’
Added to this, Jonathan’s mother died during lockdown. He said it was awful, not being able to be with his mother. Jonathan says he hasn’t really cried yet and is finding it difficult to grieve for his mother. He then said, ‘I don’t feel there is anyone I can tell how bad things are.’ He cried a little. We paused.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist, I listen to people daily who may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, for all manner of reasons. Why do they come to me? (I often ask myself that question!) They come because they want someone to listen to them, to hear what is happening in their lives. And when someone who is depressed or anxious, or fearful, or traumatised, or feeling suicidal, can enter a space that is just safe enough for them to begin sharing their story, to begin the journey of unburdening themselves, to investigate their lives and process their experiences in a supportive and non-judgmental environment, something happens!

This may be the first time in their life that they’re able to be transparent, to go to the darkest and most hidden places of their mind. The Old Testament book of Psalms is a wonderful collection of transparency, honesty, of getting it all out!

Earlier we heard read to us selected verses from Psalm 139, probably written by King David. In this most intimate and soul-searching psalm, David acknowledges before God that everything is known to God – nothing is hidden from him. For some people that may be just too scary to contemplate – that someone should know everything about them. At the end of the psalm, in verses 23 & 24, David invites and allows God once again to investigate him, and in so doing, David will investigate and learn more about himself. He says to God: ’Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting’.

How do you feel about the fact that God knows you inside out, better than you perhaps know yourself? Is that a comfort to you, or a source of fear? Perhaps we can hold on to that question as we turn to the New Testament reading from Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 11. In these three verses, we hear Jesus’ invitation: – “Come to me … take my yoke … learn from me.”

Come…
Jesus is saying ‘come’. The Pharisees and other teachers of the day said ‘do’. They heaped on to their people all manner of requirements, laws to uphold, duties to perform, and doubtless people were burdened as a result. I wonder what are the equivalents in today’s context? The things that burden us and weigh us down? The ‘I’m not good enough’s, the worries about what others may say, sometimes even self-hatred, lurking depression, the fear of being our true selves?

Jesus doesn’t heap on more and more burdens – he says come – “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Rest from the burden of legalistic requirements that others place on you and also rest from the burdens that you place on yourself.

Take…
Secondly, Jesus says take: “Take my yoke upon you …” In that day, to ‘take a yoke’ meant to become a disciple, to submit to an authority. Jesus promises us that his yoke is easy, meaning it is well-fitting. It will not rub or chafe. If will be a perfect fit for each person.
In coming to Jesus – he gives us rest.; taking from Jesus – is a deeper experience of finding rest, that deeper rest of surrender and obedience to one who knows us better than we can know ourselves and loves us better than anyone can love.

Learn…
Finally, Jesus says learn: “Learn from me …” The first two invitations of ‘come’ and ‘take’ are actions of immediacy. This third invitation to ‘learn’ is a process action. Many of us do not enjoy long drawn-out processes. We hope for, and even demand, instant results, ever faster responses, which can lead to a cycle of deeper distress and anxiety.

When people come to me for psychological help they often imagine I will fix them, and fix them immediately. Little do they realise that I will accompany them on their journey through a process of learning. To begin with they may rail against this and share their disappointment and frustration. But as the learning journey continues, their disappointment gradually recedes and their self-belief, their courage, their understanding of their life circumstances grows and takes root. That journey may – or may not – involve a deepening of Christian faith, but for some, it does.

Jesus is inviting us to learn more and more about him and his ways. The more we learn about him, the more we trust him, the deeper the peace we experience. This invitation of Jesus to ‘come to him’, to ‘take from him’, to ‘learn from him’ wasn’t just for the people in his hearing. It is an invitation for all people in all ages throughout history – and the invitation is for us all today. Now! In this very moment!

As we consider this personal invitation of Jesus, the International Staff Songsters are going to sing: ‘Do not be afraid’, The song conveys the hope we have in a faithful and unchangeable God, who knows us, embraces us, and lifts our heads as he journeys with us moment by moment.

ISS Song ‘Do not be afraid’ Gerard Markland words/ Phillip W J Stopford music

Prayers of intercession: Richard

Will you join with me in the prayer Jesus taught us; (The Lords prayer)
Our Father
ALL: who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, The power and the glory
For ever and ever Amen.

Richard: Our closing hymn is a song of praise to the one who does wondrous things, offers His peace and gives us His grace ‘now thank we all our God’

Hymn ‘Now thank we all our God‘ (all 3 verses)

Richard: And now a benediction taken from the New Testament letter of Jude .

ISS ‘Oh Love’ George Matheson words/ Elaine Hagenberg music

If you need support with mental health & Self-harm, help and support is available at BBC Action Line