We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.
Hebrews 12:1 NCV
If ever we long for that word progress it is today. Every day people are hoping for progress in a vaccine, restrictions, economy and it is also true in our Christian life. We must continue individually and cooperatively to make progress.
That is why the plans I mentioned yesterday are I believe a step forward in progress. Step by step we have to move towards the goal of reopening our church. In September our goal is to progress into live services for certain activities, so let us be doing as we mentioned yesterday; Praying Persevering and being Patient.
Perhaps this is a great time for us to sharpen up our skills and abilities that God has given us, or to pray for new ones, so when the time comes we are ready to reach our community.
Ask any footballer and he will tell you that they hate the first 10 days back in training for a new season. Why? They have to run and work extra hard. Progress day by day has to be made before they are allowed to kick a ball. The coach wants to see progress and often players have to lose weight to help that progress and our verse today informs us of much the same. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.
Let us not despair, but clear the air in the sense that when the time comes I am ready for the return and the challenges ahead.
Answer the following question. How am I doing in personal and professional growth?
To help you answer that question I hope this helps. Remember the disciples modelled Jesus effective servant leadership. He imparted to His team what God had imparted to Him. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, His leadership team led the rapid advance of the early church. Jesus had now handed the baton to His team. They moved forward with the ministry that had previously belonged to Jesus, ministering to the needy and declaring His message of forgiveness and salvation.
This did not happen overnight. The disciples had to come together as a team and progress as a team in the midst of challenging and often dangerous circumstances. They came out of lockdown and the result is over 2000 years later there are you and me.
As Peter and Paul would say, “The baton is handed over to you, continue the legacy” ministering to the needy and declaring His message of forgiveness and salvation.
Keep safe and blessed