New Year Message 2015
from Dr John Inge
Bishop of Worcester
A very happy new year to you. I wonder what you will make of it?
As I think about that question myself my mind wanders to two people whom I found most inspiring in 2014.
The first is Stephen Sutton, the young man who died aged 19 after a three year battle with cancer. Having discovered that his condition was incurable he made a bucket list of thing he wanted to achieve with a goal of raising £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. In the end the total was over £5 million.
Most of us were captivated by his extraordinary achievement and smiling face.
He himself said: ‘I don’t think about my future and feel sorry for myself. In fact, I feel the opposite. My concern has given me the opportunity to do something truly remarkable – and educate people about the disease.’
He added that he didn’t see the point in measuring life in time but that he’d rather measure a life in the difference someone makes.
The second person who inspired me was William Pooley, the young nurse who contracted Ebola whilst working in Sierra Leone which is terribly affected by this dreadful disease. He was brought home to England to recover and as soon as he had done so he announced his intention to go back, saying he was ‘delighted’ to do so.
Having recovered from Ebola his immune system should protect him against reinfection but for how long is unclear. It was an immensely brave and selfless thing to do.
These two individuals inspire me because they determined to live their lives for others. Jesus tells us to do just that – love our neighbours as ourselves. When we do so, our lives are happier and much more fulfilled. I think most of us realise this, deep down –which is why these two young men captured the imagination of the nation.
One thing that is pretty certain about this coming year is that we shall have a general election on 7th May. I hope we’ll all engage fully with that but, much more than that, I hope we shall not leave making this world a better place to politicians.
Stephen Sutton and William Pooley remind us that we can all make a big difference in all sorts of ways and live much richer lives when we do.
