Throughout the years, I’ve had spells where I’ve been on and off the wagon when it comes to running as an exercise. Recovering from illness took me out of it for a bit in January, but I’ve been back on more consistently in February. The thing is, getting back on is never easy; in fact, it takes a few weeks to start getting used to it again.
The other day I was out running and really struggling to do just that — get used to it. I was huffing and puffing, my legs hurt and I’m sure my face was beet red. At that moment, I looked over, and on the other side of the street, a little girl, maybe seven-years-old, was passing me on her electric scooter, glaring at me as she went with a stare that seemed to say: “you’re pathetic.”
I found it quite humbling and humorous at the same time. But it got me thinking about how we sometimes compare ourselves to others.
As you all know better than me, Christ Church has been around for a while and has had its fair share of struggles, as we still do. In the midst of that, it might be easy to look around and see a newer church zoom by with higher numbers, better facilities, more programs and more money.
But something hit me as I was reading the Old Testament lesson from the lectionary for this Sunday. The reading covers part of Joseph's story, which is so much about the providence of God. How God gave Joseph dreams and a vision of what he had for his life. But first he led him through all kinds of trials and challenges to prepare him for the ultimate role of being Pharaoh’s right hand man.
I think that’s what God does for us as well, either individually or as a church. He brings us through challenges, trials and difficulties to prepare us for what he has for us. Maybe we’re struggling in that race, but it’s helpful to remember that it's in the struggle that God forms and shapes us.
And let me be clear, I think God has good things for us. He wants to continue to use us to have an impact on this community, and maybe even in new ways that are beyond what we've imagined.
Our part is to stay faithful, stay the course, and stay on our knees — listening for his direction.
Blessings,
Fr. Darin+
Priest-in-charge