"During the break, Gabby and I headed away with a few friends for a weekend in Rotorua. Along the journey we stopped and wandered through the graveyard of St. Faiths Church in Ohinemutu. Amongst the gravestones was a tomb for a husband and wife. The epitaph for the husband read something that appeared quite spiritual and deep - appearing to build a picture of this bloke whose life had been spent in devout service of both Jesus and his church. By comparison, his wife’s note simply read: ‘she did what she could’. We all shared a bit of a chuckle, imagining what such a phrase might have been intended to mean! As we chuckled, I began to ponder what those few words might actually have meant and what they might say to us about our own journeys of following Jesus.
You see, one of the recurring catchphrases of my life in the past few years has been that it’s not ‘your ministry, it’s Jesus’ ministry’. As a recovering ‘yes’ person (if you are a millennial then think of somewhat unhealthy enneagram 2), the challenge of seeing what I do as the primary way in which my life has value within the mission of God is a constant and often covert temptation! My default is to switch into a state of being the ‘he did this’ kind of person, rather than being a ‘he did what he could’ human being that acknowledges the primary role of God in transforming and making all things new. 1 Cor 12:3 points out that no one can call Christ ‘Lord’ except by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is all that is needed in the light of the all-surpassing power of God’s transforming activity!
As this new semester winds its way into gear, many of you may feel well-rested and ready to go, whilst others amongst us may feel a degree of weariness. In whatever spot you find yourself in, may you know the Holy Spirit enabling you to faithfully and obediently just ‘do what you can,’ that the remainder of your year may be filled with moments in which the often weak offerings we bring are places where you truly recognise his power slowly but surely making all things new!"
Jonathan Edmeades (SASS President) |
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