麻豆约拍

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Revd Carolyn Skinner, sports chaplain

Good morning.

A powerful scene from the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games when Derek Redmond in the 400m semi final collapsed with a hamstring injury 250 metres in. Determined to finish the race, he got up and hobbled round before his father came out of the stands to help him complete the race and make it over the finishing line to the sound of cheers. It still gets me every time I watch it. It is also a powerful image of how God sees us.

God is not a pushy coach disappointed in our performance and causing us to fear that we may get kicked off the team. But he is the Father, like Derek Redmond鈥檚 dad, who gets on to the track with us, picks us up and helps us cross the finishing line, and is immensely proud of us as we seek to do our best for Him. Disappointment affects our understanding of identity, and understanding our identity affects how we handle disappointment.

We all fall down, we all know defeat & disappointment in our lives. Defeat in the area of dreams unfulfilled, potential unreached, hopes unattained. Disappointment with others, disappointment with God. But I believe we can all experience the comforting embrace of our heavenly Father.

A powerful reminder from the book of 1 John says 鈥淪ee what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!鈥� I wonder if that is how we see ourselves.

Loving Father, we abide in the lavishness of your love today, we receive your grace. Lift us up today and give us your strength and presence for whatever lies ahead.

Amen