God sees the best in us

26th July 2018



Anna Heydon has been filming on Gorleston beach, and was impressed by the beauty of her surroundings.  photo courtesy of Anna Heydon

Last month I joined 5999 (unless I miscounted!) other people on Gorleston beach for the filming of the new Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis film. As well as enjoying the free ice-cream and burgers, I also loved the atmosphere, the music, and spotting celebrities in the distance!
 
However, what I found most exciting was the opportunity to celebrate the place and community I love. The beach looked at its best in the sunshine, and people who had flocked there from other parts of the country (I was sat next to people from Cambridge) were amazed by its beauty. Indeed, Danny Boyle himself referred to it as "one of the great secrets of England"
 
And it was a chance to appreciate local people and businesses too. Danny praised the Pier Hotel and Margo's, plus local individuals who have been drafted in to help with filming and the friendly welcome from local people. Even though I know that Gorleston and Great Yarmouth have so much to offer, but I felt very happy to have it recognised by others from outside! And by the whole world as well hopefully, once it hits the big screen!
 
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" Ephesians 2:10
 
I believe that God sees the potential in us as individuals and as communities too. Humans are made in God's image, and that means that, although we are not perfect, every person and every community contains seeds of hope, beauty and redemption
 
God saw the king in the shepherd boy David (1 Samuel 16:7), the warrior in the frightened Gideon (Judges 6:12) and He sees the masterpiece that He created you and me to be (Ephesians 2:10).  God wants us to recognise, celebrate and nurture that beauty and potential in ourselves, in others and in our communities
 
So, I thank God for the borough of Great Yarmouth and its people, for all its existing beauty and goodness, and all the great potential that has yet to be unlocked
 
this article also appeared on Network Norfolk
 

Anna Heydon is Development Worker for Imagine Norfolk Together in Great Yarmouth, a joint venture between the Diocese of Norwich and the Church Urban Fund, a national organisation set up by the Church of England to combat unmet needs in communities

Read more about one of their projects here

Visit: https://www.cuf.org.uk/together-norfolk
 
 

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