“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? ²⁷ You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:26-27

Depending on your point of view it may not be a good time to be British. Firstly the Brexit vote win meaning that in theory the British are going to be responsible for Britain (it’s a great deal more complicated than that I realise), then England team being dumped out of the European Football championships 2016 being held over in France by Iceland, a country they scoffed at for lack of ‘world class players’.

The Conservative leader, David Cameron, resigned as he promised he would after he lost he ‘Remain’ vote, the football manager, Roy Hodgson, resigned after defeat to Iceland and the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is on the verge of being ousted by a motion of no confidence as his colleagues continue to resign from his sinking political ship.

But amongst this tidal wave of gloom there is good news! Step forward Marcus Willis, the world number 772 tennis player who gave up tennis at the beginning of the year. Although only 25 he had had enough of being a journeyman and decided the only way he could continue his sport he loved was to become a tennis coach in America. However, his new girlfriend challenged him to have one more try for her sake. So he entered and won through 2 rounds of pre Wimbledon to gain entry into the main draw. Against all expectations he beat the world number 54 Ricardas Berankis and make the second round. He is now guaranteed at least £50,000 and a match with arguably the best player of all time -Roger Federer - next.

You see, if you look hard enough you will find a silver lining, a gap in the clouds where the sun is reaching to shine through, a confirmation that your life isn’t just a random existence with other people in control. God is still in control, not the politicians, mangers, financial gurus, commentators – God. Last I looked, the birds are still eating.

The song today is ‘God of the Sparrow’. Click on the picture to listen.