When we were in Ghana, there was a common saying - Onyame Bekyere - the Lord will provide. People would paint this slogan on houses and the Trotro's - their trucks with bench seats used for Transport. But it was more than just a slogan, but a way of life - a life that was dependent entirely on God.

Today, I would like to continue doing theology and explore yet another characteristic of God. Remember, we began with the God who calls and sends, then the God involves humanity in his purposes. Last week we spoke of the God divides, who demands absolute priority, even to the exclusion of family, and now today, we need to look at the God who provides.

Perhaps the most formative time for Louise and I, was when we went to Africa to study at Bible College. Like Abraham, we had heard the call to leave our country and family and journey to another part of the world. Unlike when we studied in Newcastle, we had no-one paying our school fees or our rent and power, no Austudy to support us. We understood that we should GO and we went, trusting in God, the God who provides.

In Kumasi, we found a society that was very much aware of these principles and although it would be wrong to say we didn't have our moments, we were able to prove that God, who had called us, and had demanded us to follow at great cost, provided for us in many and various ways. Indeed as we got to the end of the course, we found that God's people had given in kind gifts sufficient funds to pay our expenses.

It seems that although the purpose we went to Africa was for education, we did not expect the lesson in faith. God uprooted us from the comfort of Launceston and took us to the place where we could learn to trust in his provision.

In the west, we often can be unaware of God's hand on our lives. We have a well-ordered and well equipped society. The government supports the needy (although not as well as they could) and we have health, safety and transport. In Africa, the reality of praying for travelling mercies was brought home, where every trip became an adventure. The equivalent of Launceston- Hobart took 5 hours (or more) and the main road in places looked more like some of the farm tracks around here that a highway. There was always the risk of disease and the health system that was overcrowded and under-resourced. Even the potential instability politically was a constant back drop,

Survival was very much in the hands of God. And the community was well aware. Indeed in the notices at church, (which went for about 30 minutes, often people would give to the 'sanctuary' candles etc. as a response to the experience of God's protective hand. Very much in the Old Testament principle of a thank offering.

We here in our society, have less dangers, and so it is easy for us to live without acknowledging the divine provision. This is particularly so in the cities, where income is a weekly paypacket or fortnightly allowance and milk comes from bottles and meat on plastic trays. Fortunately, the farmer has a first hand experience of the uncertainty of living, and as such, this relationship with the land can lead to a deep spirituality. I say can lead, because as modern farming techniques, it is easy to overlook the hand of God in the process. We do well to remember Paul saying - I planted, Apollos watered, but God gives the growth.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not saying that there is any merit in living in the third world per se. It really is a question of attitude or world view. It is easy for us to develop the attitude that "I did it my way" in any culture, but the harsh reality is that it is God who provides, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Jesus said, "Your Father in heaven makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous".

It is not a question of Merit, just a question of fact. But it does beg the question - when were we last thankful - and expressed that thanks. That is the most significant difference between our experience in Africa and experience in Launceston.

Perhaps a story from our journey as a family might help you understand where I am coming from.

When we were due to come home from Africa, we planned a three week holiday in England, and planned to have my Father wire money through telegraphic transfer. We were flying Ghana Airways, but unfortunately they bent the wing on the plane and our flight was delayed so we ended up in Britain with less than 72 hours. First stop, was the Bank - Yes we could transfer money in, but it would take a week.

We had a five pound note and a one dollar note, and had hired a car which we had booked and paid for in advance but we needed to pay for two nights accommodation. (and we needed to eat - we had an 18month old and a three year old).

We did not know what to do, we thought maybe we could get credit, but we knew absolutely no-one. We strangers in a strange land. We decided to go to our accommodation and thought perhaps ringing Dad might provide a solution. When we got to where we would stay - here was a cheque waiting from a dear friend. It had been sent a few weeks earlier. It was enough to cover our expenses. Oname Bekyere

Perhaps it is only in the dire circumstances that we see the hand of God so clearly, but his provision is always there.

Now Theology is of little use if it doesn't impact on the way we live. God's provision may be as a result of our work - our cooperation or it may be like the cheque - pure Grace. But what does it mean to us as a Christian Community, if we live by the promise of God's Provision?

It changes the whole way we do things - If God will provide, then we need to seek out his purpose for us. Whether as individuals, or families or as a church community we start with Question - What is it that God would have us do? Not What is it we can afford? Together, you and I need to share in the discernment of God's will and purpose and one of my priestly duties is to assist in that. But the challenge is to become a people aware of God's provision and actively living out that belief.

One last comment - Did you know, that each of us is God provision as well - sometimes we are the providers. We need also to be aware of the times that God asks us to give rather than to receive. I praise God, that this parish is already practicing this.

I want to leave you with some words of Jesus that have shaped my life and attitude to living. Maybe they will do the same for you.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you —you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. but strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Remember - Onyame Bekyere

AMEN.