Last Friday I took my own advice (from Tuesday) and dragged myself out of the door - on the basis that a few miles were better than none. As is generally the case, my headache soon cleared, and I started to enjoy running so took a couple of left turns (leading away from my start/stop point rather than back towards it) and ended up doing 10 miles.
But that is not what I want to tell you about. After a couple of miles, I was running briefly along a high street and a gentleman, who, judging from his appearance, may not have exercised in quite a while, shouted out, as I approached him, 'Do one for me, mate'.
That started me thinking. Just imagine if you could transfer the benefits of exercise from one person to another. A definite marketing opportunity. No doubt there would be those who would pay for others to do their exercise for them; and for those of us who enjoy exercise but are not the best in the world, suddenly we could become professionals!
We know the benefits of exercise - but it is a discipline - and it takes effort. Imagine if I could stay in and phone for a pizza whilst someone else ran 12 miles - with all the benefits being transferred to my body. Or for those with busy lives who can't take 90 minutes out for the gym - instead leave work, pick up the children, cook their tea, and put them to bed, whilst someone else is pounding out the miles on the treadmill, and working up a sweat on the rowing machine.
And I guess it is no different with our spiritual lives. There are spiritual disciples that we know are good for us - but wouldn't it be great if someone else could put in the hard work, but we get all the benefits.
But whether someone is out running, at the gym, memorising Bible verses, studying the Bible, or praying, shouting 'Do one for me mate' just doesn't work.
Monday, 11 July 2011
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Parable of a Runner (1)
Jesus loved to tell stories, based on everyday situations; stories which could be appreciated on a number of different levels - depending on how deep the listener was prepared to dig. And it wasn't just Jesus - there are other examples in the New Testament where the everyday has been taken to teach about something deeper.
I enjoy running, and try to run 4 times a week, totalling about 30 miles a week. Although not always the case - it is certainly true for the vast majority of runs - that when I get back I'm glad I went - I feel better for the experience.
But even so, come the next day, it can be a real act of the will to get out there again - it is easier to stay at home. At the moment the sun is shining and it is warm and sunny and a lot of my running can be done on grass - yet it can still be hard to motivate myself to actually get out of the door. Imagine what it's like in the winter when it's dark, and raining and just a few degrees one side or other of freezing.
But even in the winter, I still feel better for having been out for a run - but it takes even more effort not to stay in the warm and dry!
And once you miss a couple of days, it becomes harder and harder to get out there again.
In our walk as followers of Jesus there are disciplines that we know are good for us, and our experience is that we benefit every time we do them - but every single morning it seems like a battle of the will to actually 'put on the trainers and get out the front door'.
My experience from running is just get on and do it. You know it will be worth it in the end.
I enjoy running, and try to run 4 times a week, totalling about 30 miles a week. Although not always the case - it is certainly true for the vast majority of runs - that when I get back I'm glad I went - I feel better for the experience.
But even so, come the next day, it can be a real act of the will to get out there again - it is easier to stay at home. At the moment the sun is shining and it is warm and sunny and a lot of my running can be done on grass - yet it can still be hard to motivate myself to actually get out of the door. Imagine what it's like in the winter when it's dark, and raining and just a few degrees one side or other of freezing.
But even in the winter, I still feel better for having been out for a run - but it takes even more effort not to stay in the warm and dry!
And once you miss a couple of days, it becomes harder and harder to get out there again.
In our walk as followers of Jesus there are disciplines that we know are good for us, and our experience is that we benefit every time we do them - but every single morning it seems like a battle of the will to actually 'put on the trainers and get out the front door'.
My experience from running is just get on and do it. You know it will be worth it in the end.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Virtue Reborn Chapter Four
Some of you will be aware that I am currently, and slowly, reading Tom Wright's Virtue Reborn. So far I have commented on chapters 1-3, and for an index of where to find those comments click here.
The title of chapter four is 'The kingdom coming and the people prepared'. Already we have seen, that part of what the Christian is supposed to be about (between believing and dying) is related to the final goal, the kingdom of God. A kingdom that is not just future, but can already be practised in the present.
In terms of character formation and right behaviour I have found the images of learning a musical instrument or a foreign language helpful - in that you practise and practise and practise, but at some point you discover that those things you've practised have become second nature.
In chapter 4 Wright looks at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and in particular the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11). What is its purpose? Are these rules to be followed? Targets to aim for? Or are they a declaration of what life in the kingdom of God is like, with the understanding that that life, which seemed so distant and remote is in the process of coming true on earth.
And when the kingdom of God comes finally in its fulness some of the virtues we read of in the Beatitudes (humility, meekness...) will shine through all the more powerfully. But other virtues will no longer be relevant - such as those related to mourning or persecution.
The virtues of the Sermon on the Mount are not be understood as, 1) if you live this way you will be rewarded, or 2) now that you believe in me this is how you must behave; but rather 3) these are the habits of heart which anticipate the new world here and now. They are the signs of the new life that Jesus came to bring.
In terms of the importance of being true to yourself - being authentic - Wright strongly makes the case that the Christian life is not about doing what comes naturally. If the authenticity that matters is living in accordance with the genuine human being God is calling us to become, then this sort of authenticity will start to happen as we follow Jesus. It will be hard work - but it is within reach. There will be signs of life - as green shoots grow through concrete - faith, hope and love; as there is the development of character formed by overflowing generous love.
So the Christian is not just a person who has received the love and forgiveness of God and
new life - but they are an agent of it in the world. And so those who have had their hearts changed by God become heart changers themselves.
Wright points out that we are not to read the gospels with the aim of reading about a Jesus who says to us, 'this is how it's done; copy me'. Rather we read about a Jesus who says, 'God's kingdom is coming; take up your cross and follow me'. Jesus' example is not so much about how to do it - but what to do - love, forgiveness, self giving...
As I look back over chapter 4 there is so much that I have not covered ... see you in a few weeks.
The title of chapter four is 'The kingdom coming and the people prepared'. Already we have seen, that part of what the Christian is supposed to be about (between believing and dying) is related to the final goal, the kingdom of God. A kingdom that is not just future, but can already be practised in the present.
In terms of character formation and right behaviour I have found the images of learning a musical instrument or a foreign language helpful - in that you practise and practise and practise, but at some point you discover that those things you've practised have become second nature.
In chapter 4 Wright looks at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and in particular the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11). What is its purpose? Are these rules to be followed? Targets to aim for? Or are they a declaration of what life in the kingdom of God is like, with the understanding that that life, which seemed so distant and remote is in the process of coming true on earth.
And when the kingdom of God comes finally in its fulness some of the virtues we read of in the Beatitudes (humility, meekness...) will shine through all the more powerfully. But other virtues will no longer be relevant - such as those related to mourning or persecution.
The virtues of the Sermon on the Mount are not be understood as, 1) if you live this way you will be rewarded, or 2) now that you believe in me this is how you must behave; but rather 3) these are the habits of heart which anticipate the new world here and now. They are the signs of the new life that Jesus came to bring.
In terms of the importance of being true to yourself - being authentic - Wright strongly makes the case that the Christian life is not about doing what comes naturally. If the authenticity that matters is living in accordance with the genuine human being God is calling us to become, then this sort of authenticity will start to happen as we follow Jesus. It will be hard work - but it is within reach. There will be signs of life - as green shoots grow through concrete - faith, hope and love; as there is the development of character formed by overflowing generous love.
So the Christian is not just a person who has received the love and forgiveness of God and
new life - but they are an agent of it in the world. And so those who have had their hearts changed by God become heart changers themselves.Wright points out that we are not to read the gospels with the aim of reading about a Jesus who says to us, 'this is how it's done; copy me'. Rather we read about a Jesus who says, 'God's kingdom is coming; take up your cross and follow me'. Jesus' example is not so much about how to do it - but what to do - love, forgiveness, self giving...
As I look back over chapter 4 there is so much that I have not covered ... see you in a few weeks.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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