Phil 3:13-14

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I think you would have to be on another planet not to be aware that we are in the slow build up to London Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow a couple of years after. All over the country there are people pounding pavements building up fitness and endurance; weights are being lifted in gyms all over the country and yet the games are years away. I have the highest level of respect for those who are willing to commit to a training regime to get them ready for competition. While we are warm at firesides in the dark winter months they are out in all weathers persistently pounding the pavement. While vegetating in front of the TV they're out timing their performance looking for fractions of a second improvement over the last time. Come the event itself we will all get caught up in Olympic fever, cheering on the nation's competitors and over a few short weeks we will celebrate with the victors and commiserate with those whose dreams came to naught. For competitors the games is a 24/7 lifestyle. They can't take days off. They can't take it easy. Everyday is a preparation for the games no matter how far in the future. Past failures are put behind them and the focus is on winning the next time. The church would do well to learn something of the mindset of the athlete in its work. Too often we work in fits and starts, we will arrange events, push campaigns and wonder why they are less successful as we want them to be. We need to learn that each day is a pressing on towards the goal before us. Warm fellowship that welcomes others doesn't just happen; it has to be practised each and every week. Sharing Jesus with others isn't just for the big events or out reach programmes it has to be a part of our conversations every day. In this way what we are and stand for becomes a natural part and expression of our lives. If we just pull them on like the new running shoes we get on a whim and immediately think we will run a marathon we will soon discover that we have blisters and we can barely manage to run once round the block. At this point we usually get discouraged and throw the trainers in the cupboard until enough time passes that we can throw them out without feeling too guilty. If we are fully committed to the future of the church we have to put that into practise every day. Like every athlete knows peak performance comes from gradual training and stepping up the levels set for them until they can reach a level for competition - we will not change overnight, but we have to be continually moving towards renewal and change each day getting the church fit for the challenges of the years ahead. We have many big things to accomplish - and we will - steadily, persistently and consistently and when we look back we will see the change, the growth and gain the prize God holds out for us just beyond the finish line. Everyone is invited to join in getting the church fit for the future - it will be worth the effort.