Links

main image

Terry Reisner of Waxahachie is a humble person and is surely not looking for such an analogy, but I want to compare him to Jesus! You see I took part in the St. James charity golf scramble in Mabank, and let me tell you, I am a truly dreadful golfer. A harsh slice is one of my good shots!  But no matter - it's all who you know. With Terry on your team, you just use all his shots, and you are bound for glory, as we were. It is its own kind of vicariousness, which lies at the heart of the Christian mystery.

But note my second point: you'd be wrong to think I could have remained in the clubhouse as I sipped tea. We were a team, and I was expected to take my shots, to follow after. I contributed a bit of repartee.  Maybe my bad putts helped him read the green. And celebrating at the end is its own role too. Even the redeemed have to travel the course. (The great New Testament scholar Eduard Schweizer was Swiss and he knew snow - he compared it to following behind a snow-plough and then walking out after being homebound). Keeping the truth of who won clear, and the callings straight, is important to the Christian life too.

Peace,

GRS

 

Posted by The Rt. Rev. George Sumner with

Complete the Race (II Timothy 4:17)

At the end of our vacation we find ourselves in Chicago for its Marathon weekend (the fastest, I have read this morning, perhaps because it is cool and relatively level). Marathons offer many good things. You can see world-class athletes from places like Ethiopia and Kenya. There is a feel of fiesta with signs by family members, getups by some for-fun runners, and food for sale.

But as I looked out my hotel window at 7:30 a.m., I watched the race of competitors who have lost legs or their use. Wheeling vehicles by arm for 26 miles means serious fitness and determination.

Those competitors were to me, this morning, a symbol of the Church too. For each is wounded. The larger family cheers them on. Each by grace has risen up to run the race. Ahead is the goal, the prize, the welcome home. We find the companionship of Jesus the Lord, there, and along the route too.

Amen.

GRS

 

   

Categories
Authors
Archive