Encourage the Good

Although I have not gone far I definitely feel that I have been on a journey.

The debate that propels Phileas Fogg on his epic voyage, around the world in 80 days, takes place in the Reform Club. Some of those considering the possibility of the challenge wish that they could make the journey themselves rather than wagering on it. Jules Verne describes the scene.

“The noble lord, confined to his armchair, would have given his whole fortune to be able to travel around the world, in ten years even; and he bet four thousand pounds on Phileas Fogg.” 

The challenge of my current journey revolves around a constant choice between the armchair and the adventure. There are always excuses that can be made about why we should follow the line of least resistance. Worry can easily lead to analysis paralysis and limit our horizons and our selves. 

The Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard commenting on this dynamic wrote:

“To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one's self.... And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one's self.”

Faith grows at the intersection of fear and risk

These thoughts were a result of going to live sport for the first time in over a year.

The title is intentionally ambiguous because sport is also life to be lived.

Many of the seven things I mention also have significant implications for a faith community.

It is good to play, to belong and to hope. Perseverance, inspiration, humility and discipline are core values in life and faith as well as sport.

What do we love about what we do? What gives us a sense of identity and place in the world? What do we hope for and work towards with energy and enthusiasm? How do we encourage each other to keep going through adversity? Who are our heroes and examples? How do we keep perspective on who we are and how we fit into the team and community? What do we need to give up and focus on to express our commitment? 

Today I had planned to be in Rocky Mountain House in the foothills of the mountains. Pioneer Alberta is celebrating 70 years of camping at The Ranch. My current limitations meant that I had to cancel the trip but I am happy that many friends will be there to give thanks.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and it definitely takes a community to run a camp. Through the generations staff and volunteers, have given, prayed, served and helped. The value of this investment over time can only be glimpsed but it is highly significant. 

Camp is a place where lives are changed as young people encounter God in creation, discover Jesus in the Bible, grow in faith in community and take their first steps in leadership with support. Memories are built as friendships are formed, fellowship shared and fun experienced. It is an environment where creativity can thrive, gifts can be nurtured, character can be formed and resilience can be developed.

At our core is a commitment to invest in the next generation.

It is not that this music drowns the wails of Rachel. Rather that songs of jubilant praise and desolate heartache both have a place in our songbook.

Christmas brings into focus the extremes of life. Families gathered and separated, laden tables in warm houses and hungry homeless shivering outside, squealing children opening presents at the tree and an empty chair at the table. It is the best of times and the worst of times. Maybe you can see a better time when all your dreams come true but that may just be a fairytale.

This dissonance leads to a greater appreciation of the reason for the season. I don’t know what song you will be singing this Christmas. If it is lament I pray that the good news of Jesus brings and sings some grace notes to your score. If it a symphony of happiness I hope it will harmonise with the requiems from the margins. I suspect for us it will be a bit of both on Christmas Day. 

My friend Lynda has a series of posts that she calls “Perspective Adjustments” sharing pictures of nature in her neighbourhood that help her see life differently.

When I have thoughts in my head repeating “this is not what I signed up for” I need my own perspective shift. There is nothing in my employment contract, marriage vows or Christian commitment that says I will have an easy life and every day will be full of laughter and fun. 

 I am not sure where I picked up the idea or bought into the myth of the perfect life. It did not come from the Bible. The reality of God meeting people in the midst of trouble is much more the narrative of scripture rather than God guaranteeing people the absence of trouble.

A Special Christmas to you and for you.  I hope this will bring  you a  wee smile.

This is a little bit experimental or as my friend Neil would say “a wee bit mental more like”

It is a remastered and slightly updated version of the very first pod cast I ever made on Christmas Day last year.

Who would have dreamed back then that we would be celebrating another Christmas in the shadow of Covid.

Some ideas on leadership and ministry from “Clarkson’s Farm” on Amazon Prime and “The Biggest Little Farm” on NetFlix.

“They start by clearing the ground. The farmers believe a natural ecosystem will produce the highest possible level of biodiversity. One of their initial objectives is to get rid of things that never should have been planted in the first place. In New Zealand, I observed a similar focus on regenerating the native flora and fauna to correct problems resulting from imported wildlife and plants. 

The same observation can be made missiologically: importing ideas and resources from offshore doesn’t always help develop ministry that connects with the particular culture of a place. It may in fact do more harm than good in the long term. 

Secularism, relativism and consumerism have leached the soil of Western society resulting in less receptive ground for the gospel. As churches and mission agencies, we need to recognise how some of our own strategies and ideas may have inadvertently contributed to this demise.  

We want to value, build and develop a diverse culture of ministry that is rooted in the ground that we “farm”. This means there are things we need to move away from as we seek to move forward. I believe that Covid has actually accelerated change and underlined our need for innovation, imagination and courage.”

We have a tendency to compare ourselves to people who look like they are doing better than us.  

If my security is based on a positive or negative comparison with other people when my circumstances change my strength will fail and my confidence will evaporate.

So today I am mindful that meeting with the Lord is the only thing that brings true perspective. I am thankful that when I am unsteady God takes me by my right hand. I am grateful that God tenderly and wisely leads.

I am thankful that although I am, at times beleaguered, I am not overwhelmed.

Today I am thankful that I live at a time in history where this promised king has come. I am grateful to have seen more of that better country that the heroes of the faith in the Old Testament were looking forward to. I am thankful that I can read this psalm knowing Jesus and to be able to join today with the chorus of the psalm echoing through history. 

Last night I dreamt I went to Ecuador again. This was at the invitation of Ruth rather than Rebecca and I was not dreaming. I went by Zoom and my entrance was halted for a while not by iron gates but needing a passcode to get in, which was duly provided.

I have had the joy of being in Ecuador physically in the past. There has been a long partnership between TSCF in New Zealand and CECE the movement in Ecuador through Ruth, a graduate from New Zealand who went to Ecuador. With her husband and family they have visited New Zealand and I spoke at their National Student Conference a few years ago with the support of the Pacific Partnership Trust. In fact if I had not had been for Ruth rescuing me I would probably even now be wandering around the bus station in Guayaquil, one of the most confusing places I have been in the world.

Last night CECE were holding an online training event for their student coordinators around the movement and invited me as an IFES guest to share a story of discipleship.