Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-002 (Devotional)

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES…

by Ross Groocock

As we stand on the border of 2001/2002 and look back over the hills, valleys, mountains and ravines we see how life treated us and how we treated life. Some of it we can be proud of, other parts we can learn from and determine to improve. We see areas of growth and areas of decay, we remember the sweet taste of fruitful labours and the sour taste of seemingly fruitless endeavour. We can encourage ourselves with Rom 8:28 and know that it is true, God does bring good out of bad for us all, and we can humble ourselves before God and ask Him for forgiveness for the sins that have held us back and courage to change and be moulded by Him.

We can’t help how life treats us, things beyond our control happen and all we can do is react and respond. However we are in direct control of how we treat life, we choose our actions and our attitudes. Our reactions spring from our character, which have been nurtured by our choices over the course of our lives, and our responses flow from our values and current understanding of God which guide our choices today. We are encouraged to conform every thought to Christ (Rom 12:1-2).

We choose whether to model our life on Christ’s or try our own style. Christ Jesus chose a life of balance and authentic spirituality with prayer and action, solitude and service, sacrifice and fellowship, influence and submission, encouragement and correction, study and sharing, self control and celebration, worship and work all the while listening to people and to His Father. As we – if we – choose to model our life on Jesus’ example we will grow in His likeness, treating life as He wants, responding as He would like and our character will grow Godly producing reactions that please Him as well.

So as I leave the border behind and venture into 2002 I will choose the way of Christ and will walk it with others if possible, so I don’t stray or stop and I hope to meet you along the trail.

– Ps. Ross Groocock <>