MY good friend Tim, from Transformation Thurrock, has been in touch with me this week.

Tim’s group promotes faith across the Thurrock borough. His website www. transformationthurrock.com is well worth clicking on, if you ever feel in need of a “faith lift”.

Someone once said to me: “I wish I had a faith in God like yours.”

When you’re given a Christmas present, do you leave it unwrapped? Do you hide it in a cupboard? No, you unwrap it.  So many people are given the gift of faith, but never unwrap it.

They look at the shiny paper and the pretty bow, they have endless discussions about what it may be. But they never open it.

Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, said: “Faith in God is not so much a problem to be solved, but a gift to be explored.”

When Jesus said to the fishermen “follow me” he was inviting them on a journey of exploration. He was saying “I’m giving you the gift of faith – now, open it!”  Jesus gave this gift to tax men, doctors, priests, soldiers, prostitutes and children, to name but a few. They all opened the gift, and their lives were changed. And Jesus is still offering this gift today.

The Bible describes faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It’s a total trust thing.

We can’t physically see Jesus, but we can spiritually.

Why not open the gift of faith today? Talk with Jesus – He’s dying to talk with you. He died to talk with you. – JOHN.