Encourage the Good

Emotional maturity does not develop automatically as we age. In fact some experiences can stunt our growth rather than accelerate it. 

I have had first hand experiences of experienced leaders whose behaviour has more in common with a toddler having a tantrum than an elder sharing wisdom.

How we cope when we are under pressure has great significance in determining if we grow up or slip back through the experience.

In facing difficulty and handling complexity there is a time to shut up and a time to sing.

This is number thirty nine of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

I feel the general assumption is that leaders should at least look like they know what they are doing. Self confident, poised, competent and in control would be a reasonable summary of the image that is expected to be presented.

There may be a small inner circle who are shown a little bit more but even there limits are often applied to limit vulnerability and protect our image.

It is deeply shocking to hear a leader sharing a very different experience. “I am done in, I have nothing left to give, I am wounded and falling apart, some of this is self inflicted and I am under censure”

Listen to someone who is falling apart physically, emotionally and spiritually.

This is number thirty eight of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

There is a great Scottish expression “Dinnae fash yersel” which means don’t get frustrated by a situation or annoyed with someone.

It is way too easy to get worried about things which are inconsequential.

Overall I am too tolerant of worry in my life. My excuses are that everyone does it and I have always done it. Part of my identity is entwined with plans to secure the things I want and need and doubts about whether it will work.

The stupidity of this is obvious. It diverts me from what is most important and does not get me what is less important. Day by day, worry will distort my view of God, erode faith and put my focus in the wrong place. 

This is number thirty seven of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Watching the final Relay races at Tokyo reminds me of the start of the Relay Programme in the UK.

The idea of this internship was born in a chat with Nigel Lee walking round a golf course in Leamington Spa.

I had known him for a number of years through OM and he had recently started working with UCCF. I was planning to finish my time with the organisation at the end of the year and he asked

“If I was trying to persuade you to stay to help lead some change and you could do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?”

This is number thirty six of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

“You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender, I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.”

So speaks a washed up and washed out boxer, who took a fall but wonders if he could rise again. This self reflection is characterised by regret. He did not work hard enough, took shortcuts and bought into the myth of talent trumping hard work.

Many people look back on life, feeling that they were more gifted than has been sufficiently recognised and have missed out through circumstances beyond their control or have made decisions that they look back on with regret.

 David is not making excuses or considering how he could better contend. He is calling on the Lord to fight against those who fight against him He does not take a dive, he calls for reinforcements.

He recognises the need for shield, armour, spear and javelin but is not ordering armour from Amazon he is asking that the Lord take up weapons on his behalf.

This is number thirty five of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

I wonder how I will look back on these days. I do my best to present as happy and resilient but there are certainly frustrations, fears and doubts. How do I lead when I don’t feel up to it? What is my back up plan when things crumble or fail?

This whole series of events does not paint David in the best of lights. I like David better when he is trusting God running towards Goliath than when he is in fear of his life running away to Gath. The problem is that I have way more Gath than Goliath moments in my own life. I too easily default to  become like David where fear drives his behaviour and he chooses denial and deception. Loneliness and isolation in particular make poor decisions more likely. David is alone on this journey from Nob to Gath. His attempts to make things better only make them worse.

This is number thirty four of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

In Act 5 of Richard III the king is frustrated and desperate. He has been battling on foot and killed a number of decoys dressed as his enemy but he now badly wants a horse so utters the famous line. “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse”

In a moment of appreciating the enormity of his circumstances he is willing to trade everything for a chance of victory. 

Where we put our security can change under pressure. Our hope and longing can find focus on things that seem like our only chance.

This is number thirty three of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

The central purpose of InterVarsity in Canada is to grow faith and develop leadership in the next generation.

Crucial to this is an understanding of the good news of Jesus. The Christian message is not that life can be better, that we can be fulfilled or find purpose.

There are many philosophies, ideologies and religions that offer these things.

The good news is about the promise of God being fulfilled through Jesus death and resurrection and how this makes possible a change of heart and forgiveness of sins in his name. This is why the cross on the hill supersedes the sermon on the mount as the central message and enduring symbol of the good news of Jesus.

This is not a popular or easy message. Most modern ideologies have little space for the idea of “sin”. Right and wrong become social constructs. Morality is relative between people rather than having any relationship with God and his word. Most things are acceptable if they pass the test of achieving the greater good or avoiding intentional harm.

This is number 32 of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

Reading the psalms it is easy to become frustrated with David. He seems to cycle through faith and confidence mixed with anxiety and uncertainty. That is a reality check to the perfectionism we often pitch or feel pressure to present to the world.

Life’s experiences erode our confidence. Trouble and opposition can hollow out our sense of purpose and leave us questioning our worth and value.

This is number 31 of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.

This is what is frustrating and encouraging about the psalms. They are born of a lived reality where confusion, pain, doubt and fear are experienced. David calls for mercy, he is unable to resolve his circumstances through strength of character, experience or intellect - he needs God’s help, 

Rather than find it depressing that I am listening to someone who is going through this particular trial, I find it encouraging that God takes his people through these things. David sings of this transformation that the Lord has done for him. Wailing has been turned to dancing and sackcloth replaced with joy. The one who mourned has been comforted but has been brought from facing a funeral to a festival. He has new clothes and is dancing and singing with joy. The light at the end of the tunnel was not the train coming to meet him but a lamp leading him home.

This is number thirty of a series that began life as a commitment to Counting my Blessings every day after ankle surgery on July 2nd 2021.

Initially I made a brief post on social media and wrote a personal daily reflection on a Psalm following the same numerical progression.

Later on in the 100 days I began to also reflect on other scriptures and combine those into my public post

These thoughts from Psalms earlier in the journey have not been made public  until now as I was writing primarily for my own benefit. I have been encouraged to share these now.