Message and Prayer of the Day from Rev. Mary White
Good Day and Blessings
As a child and early teen, I ran everywhere. I loved to run, and I don’t recall if I was running from or to something. But this running had its advantages at the end of the school year during Sports Day competitions. I recall being named athlete of the year and since the age of five, was very competitive. I could outrun, and out play anyone of any gender, the exception was my older brother. I remember visualizing my wins before visualizing was even a thing in sports.
I was involved in most sports from basketball to volleyball. At the age of 15, I competed in a volleyball game where I served a straight 15 points against a women’s team. It wasn’t long after this that I gave it all up. I no longer wanted to compete. It was a time when I recognized the concept of the other. Every time I won a competition, someone else lost and felt bad for losing. My empathy kicked in and made me realize that winning and being competitive was not important anymore. I was feeling less than when I would win.
Following a great deal of discernment, I wasn’t interested in the cheers or the recognition any longer and no longer needed to try to be better than others. I decided that I would run my own race with loving-kindness and consideration toward others. And still to this day, I continue to put others before myself. It’s a rather good place to be, living my best life.
Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message (MSG)
[Discipline in a Long-Distance Race] Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, start running—and never quit! And especially let go of those parasitic thoughts that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right with God. When you find yourselves weakening in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Poem: Towards A Conclusion by Kate Compston
It is out of being and accepting our uselessness
that we can act effectively.
It is out of knowing ourselves in solitude
that we are able to relate deeply to others.
It is out of receiving with open hands
that we are able to give with open hearts.
It is out of our inner silence and wordlessness
that we can speak with truth and passion.
It is out of reconciling tension within ourselves
that we may heal tensions around us.
It is out of our hearing and understanding
that we can be trusted as friends and ambassadors.
Excerpt From: Joy Mead. “Making Peace.”
Prayer of the Day
Spirit of Life
Sometimes we hold on to negative thoughts that keep our minds busy during the day and awake at night. We tend to over think the small things and overlook that which is important.
Help us to know ourselves in the quiet times so we are able to relate more deeply to others. May we shed that which slows us down and holds us back so that we are able to be present to the needs of those living with less.
Blow Your comforting Spirit around and through us giving much needed relief for those who are feeling the COVID 19 reality as a negative experience.
Embrace us with the joys of life and help us appreciate all that life offers. This we pray.
Amen