Hello, Dave here, I hope you’re well today. Our passage for the day comes from Philippians 3:17-4:1. Let’s jump straight in with verse 17: Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

REFLECTION

So far this week we’ve looked at identity and purpose and most recently yesterday we looked at the call to step into those things and all God has for us. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the start of lent, so, how is lent going for you? We’re one day in. Have you managed to resist the chocolate so far or was there a little false start?! The start of lent can be like many other times in life when we start something new. At first our enthusiasm is sky high. We’re confident, we’re motivated, we’re ready to go. But as time goes by, that same enthusiasm and motivation can wear a little thin. Doubts appear, we’re tempted to quit. This is the same for our Christian walk. Living the Jesus life can sound amazing on paper, or on podcasts even, but it will undoubtedly have hard times. This is why Paul tells us in this verse to join together. To help one another, to encourage those around us. A good questions for us today to start off with is this- who is journeying with you? Who is walking with you, encouraging you, challenging you when necessary. Helping you to lift your eyes to God when you can only see the floor in front of you. The verse goes on to talk about having role models to look up to as well. I love that such a massive part of the New Testament is dedicated to talking about how normal people like Paul and the disciples started to live the Jesus life. It’s essential to have the stories of Jesus for us to learn from, but it’s quite intimidating to try and live the life that the Son of God lived. It’s much more accessible to read the stories of Jesus but also see how the people around Him started to imitate His life. Who inspires you in your faith, in living the Jesus life?

Let me give you two quick examples of these principles at work in my life. I like to run. Well, I run, whether I enjoy it or not is a slightly different question. I’ve done several organised runs, things like the Sheffield half marathon. When you start off there are 1000s of people lining the streets, cheering you on. It’s great, the support really carries you and you tend to start off faster than you planned. But then as you get further and further out of town the crowds get smaller. The cheering disappears, the pack of fellow runners thins out and the running gets a lot lot harder! The support, the encouragement that is offered by fellow runners and from the crowds that reappear towards the end give a huge lift. We undervalue what encouragement and support can do to lift someone. Also on a run it’s much easier to hit a target time if you’re following a pace runner. Having people that one step ahead to model ourselves on as Paul suggests is so helpful.

The second example from my life is simply an encouragement that everything that Paul talks about in this verse has worked for me! One of the things I often talk about when asked about my Christian journey is that God has consistently put people in my path to encourage me a spur me on. Particularly as I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have a group of Christian friends to go through the trials of teenage hood with. Some were part of a small part of my journey, others have been with me for as long as I can remember. It is good to encourage one another to press into this Jesus life. I’ll leave us with that question from earlier to reflect on, who is encouraging and challenging us in our Christian life today? If you can think of people then why not thank them today, if you can’t then pray for some!

PRAYER

Thank you God that you made us to live in community. You designed us to spur each other on, to encourage one another. Please help us to encourage others today and Lord,