´óÏó´«Ã½

Good morning. When 74 years ago today the D-Day landings took place they were the decisive point at which the tide turned in the Second World War.  At a human level they were both heroic and tragic.  I have walked along those beaches and marvelled at the bravery of the soldiers who jumped out of their landing craft and ran at the enemy.  But I’ve also moved inland and had my breath taken away by huge fields filled with row upon row of white headstones commemorating the thousands whose courage cost them their lives.

The landings in Northern Europe were hugely significant.  Only four years previously the Allies had been defeated and driven out of France.  Now they were back. But there was still an awful lot to do.  The actual end of the war in Europe was almost a year away and many more lives would be lost before then.

Which is why, while we mark this anniversary, remember the heroism of those who took part and celebrate the decisive step they took to ending the war, I believe there may be a broader message for us.

In a world where we increasingly look for instant results, it can be hard to accept that some things take time.  But they do.  The temptation to look for simple easy answers and quick fixes can affect everything from politics to our daily lives.  But the real world isn’t like that. 

If something’s worth doing we need to go for it – but we need to be ready for the long haul.  There are decisive steps along the way but they are more often the start of a process of solving a problem than a solution in themselves.

Patience and perseverance may not be very fashionable – but they are essential components of any serious approach to solving problems.

Father God, we thank you for the heroism of those who fought through D-Day and we pray that in our own daily lives we may show echoes of their bravery and perseverance in tackling the challenges we face.  Amen