It’s difficult to know what to write. After enjoying the privilege of being involved with Nucleus for three and a half years, the time has come for me to pass the pen - or should I say keyboard - on. I have many people to thank; notably Peter Saunders, Sandra Hartley, John Alford, the other CMF office staff, and of course members of the team including peer reviewers past and present. God will not forget their work and the love they have shown as they ‘have helped his people and continue to help them’ (Heb 6:10).

During my time as editor I have learned much but made many mistakes. Yet God has continually shown me faithfulness, patience and kindness. I suppose that’s not surprising. Yet it can be difficult to grasp the nature and extent of God’s love for us. The world makes demands, expecting results. Doctors are criticised for making even unintentional errors; there is often little forgiveness. We medics can easily slip into being performance-driven, setting increasingly high standards for ourselves, making a god of success and fearing failure. Yet God is waiting, offering us forgiveness, unconditional love and true hope for the future. To accept this daily will cost us our pride. The gospel exposes our sin and reveals our hidden faults. However, as Jonah reflected from within the belly of the whale: ‘those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs’ (Jonah 2:8).

We may find ourselves trying to achieve goals in our own strength without turning to the one who loves us with ‘love surpassing knowledge’ (Eph 3:19). For it is he who ‘is able to do immeasurably more than a ll we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’(Eph 3:20). Knowing Christ ourselves leads to him working powerfully through us.

Nkosi Johanson, the twelve year old pictured on the front cover, in his short life became the public face of AIDS in Africa. Like many he did not receive anti-retroviral therapy. This is a powerful reminder to us of the fall-out when biblical principles governing sexual fidelity and social justice are ignored. We cannot afford to be apathetic; the articles HIV and the African Church (pp16-20) and Aiding Africa (pp4-6) highlight the need for Christ’s love to be shown and his truth taught. In this issue of Nucleus two junior doctors reflect on their experiences of Christ’s love affecting their working lives, in Applying Romans on the Wards (pp31-34) and Sharing Christ with Colleagues (pp26-30).

In closing, I shall not say goodbye, but au revoir. I look forward to meeting you in the new creation, if not before at a CMF conference! Until then, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all (2 Thes 3:18).