PBC On-Line exclusive
A Commonwealth Games message from Rev. Rob White, Senior Minister of PBC
Winning is everything", a motivated Games competitor would say. And we like to hear them say it! Who wants to support a national team that just turns up! "It's not about success, but about doing something", say so many Christians. In other words it's faithfulness that counts, not whether we're successful.
Which is right for the Christian? Are there any guidelines? The answer is a wholehearted "yes". Firstly, we know that God has an aim, "...that all should come to repentance", and Jesus gave His disciples the great aim worded in the Great Commission. Surely God wants success in these aims---He's not a wishful-thinking God, hoping for the best.
Secondly, we know that both Jesus & Paul, to name but two from the pages of Scripture, had ambition. Paul openly spoke of goals & Jesus spoke of accomplishment. The main thing is that these goals were to do with the Kingdom, not with personal self-seeking ambition. In other words success was most important to both Jesus & Paul. Success, then, for the Christian, in terms of ministry, should not be a dirty word, but a daily goal.
Where the talk of success goes wrong is where Christians are made to feel worthless if they cannot name 'successes', or are put under pressure to 'perform'. It's then performance that drives us, not the love of or love for God. The longing for success should come from a strong desire to see His Kingdom come; His will be done. Then we will ask God for the passion & gifts that enable us to do our best & the faith to believe for results.
"Running the race" is a well-known phrase of Paul from the pages of
Scripture. As we wish all our athletes well at these Commonwealth Games,
let us be inspired by their dedication, courage & longing to win.
Rob White July 2002
Eddie Ainsworth
