From despair to hope

“I was like a stone lying deep in the mud.”  (Patrick’s Confession, para 12)

Perhaps you know a little bit of what Patrick was talking about? Do you ever feel trapped, stuck, like there’s no escape, maybe your stomach in knots. I felt a bit like that for about 8 years after my mum lost her battle to cancer she was just 46.

What led Patrick to write those words in his confession? He had been captured and taken far from home, he was sold as a slave and he felt alone, trapped and despairing. But then he continues “he who is powerful came and in his mercy pulled me out, and lifted me up and placed me on the very top of the wall.”

What happened? Patrick is describing how Jesus Christ set him free.  He remained as a slave for 6 years, but Jesus set him free from another burden.  Patrick tells us at the beginning of his confession what that burden was, he writes “I am a sinner”.  Patrick knew the burden of carrying all his guilt and shame, but he discovered Jesus was willing to take it for him!

What joy he found when he gave that burden to Jesus! He was still a slave, but he was also free! Jesus had entered a worse pit than the one Patrick was in, and had taken all the slime and muck of sin that clung to Patrick so that he could be set free spiritually.  As Patrick watched over the sheep in Co Mayo, he was no longer alone, for he knew the Lord as his shepherd.

But the story doesn’t end there, otherwise, we’d never have heard of St Patrick today! Patrick escaped and managed to get boat back to Britain.  He eventually got home, and his parents were so delighted to see him again.  You can imagine their horror when he told them that God was calling him back to Ireland!  This time he wouldn’t be going as a slave, but as a man declaring the freedom that Jesus gives.

It was costly for him to leave home and family, but it was nothing compared to what Jesus had done for him. He’d been lifted from the pit of despair and been filled with hope, he had to share this message with others. The Lord gave Patrick great success as he travelled Ireland and shared the good news about Jesus.  People came to faith and churches began springing up. 

It is thought that Patrick died on 17 March 460AD and that’s why we continue to celebrate his life on that day. 

You’re welcome to join us for an evening enjoying Irish music and celebrating Patrick’s life on 21^st March at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church at 8pm.  We have local musicians Martin and Mary Crossin playing uilleann pipes, harp and other traditional Irish instruments.   

Nick Jones is one of the ministers in Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. He can be contacted on 085 8889625 or nickjones2011@gmail.com You can listen to their sermons on Spotify, search for Milford RPC.