Running the Race

Dear Oaks,

I spoke last Sunday about how we run the race from Hedonism to Holiness.  Today I want to reflect just a little more on how we keep running the race with perseverance.

Probably from a dark dank prison cell the Apostle Paul sent this message to Timothy, his younger partner in the gospel.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8.

I see the Christian life as a battle and as a race and in both scenarios it is often the case that we feel like giving up.  One of the purposes of church is to help one another to keep on keeping on.  Some months a go I spoke about how John Wesley established what he called “Bands” which in many ways operated like our Core Groups.  They were regular meetings where within the context of loving and trustworthy relationship we can be held accountable.  We can be asked how we are running the race?  How we are maintaining discipline in the spiritual life?  What efforts we are making to co-operate with the Holy Spirit within us?

How much you grow in the spiritual life is up to you. There is no lack of will on God’s side he has already declared he wants you “conformed to the likeness of his son.” (Rom 8:29)

So here are some questions that will help keep you on track. You can use them in your own prayer time or in a Core Group.

1. What is your experience of prayer and of being attentive to God this week?
2. What temptations did you face this past week?  How did you deal with them?
3. How did the Holy Spirit work in your life this week?
4. What opportunities have you had to serve others this week?  Did you?
5. In what ways have you encountered the Living God in your study of the Bible this week?

This week I will speak from the closing chapter of the letter of James.  It is a letter full of the challenge to run the race, fight the good fight and persevere to the end.  It is a letter that never allows you do God without engaging with the reality of a broken church and a hurting world.

This is our last opportunity to all be together on a Sunday until late August.  There will be an update on Christians against Poverty, testimony of a glorious answer to prayer and much more including news on how we are planning to replace Lisa (who is sadly moving on as you know). You may be in for a surprise or two!

In the Fathers love and keep on running!

Mark