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Thought For The week 01 November 2020

I’m pleased to be able to let you know that Brent has returned safe and sound from his epic journey around the South Island.  He is currently enjoying some well earned time off and will be back with us from the 9th of November.  You can catch up with his online diary from this time on our church Facebook page www.facebook.com/timarupres

As I reflect on Brent’s adventure, I bounce back and forth between admiration and perplexity.  It is an incredible achievement, but why?

The conclusion I come to is this:  we only truly grow, as human beings, when we place constraints upon ourselves. For Brent the constraint was travelling more slowly and under his own steam. For Andrea and I, the decision to become a one car household after the hail storm last November placed some major constraints on our lives.  As a result we are having to be more creative in our use of time and resources.  We are learning a lot about ourselves.  For instance we have been confronted with our Kiwi reluctance to ask for help.  What do you do when one small car isn’t enough?  We have also learned about the generosity of others, and the resources available just below the surface of our community.

Brent, I’m sure, will have learned a lot about himself, his own limits, his capabilities, and his need for relationship with God and with his fellow human beings.  Lessons from this time will bear fruit for years to come.

It’s a paradox, but the vine that is pruned is more fruitful.  Our society says that we can have whatever we want, whenever we want it.  Jesus calls us to allow ourselves to be shaped and moulded.

As we continue into this season of new life and (dare I say it) start looking towards Christmas and the coming of Christ, I invite you to prayerfully consider what you might trim from your life so that you might encourage new growth.

 

Nga mihi nui,

 

Rory

Categories: Thought for the week