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The Goal is Growth, Not Greatness
CHICAGO, IL (March 22, 2005) - In preparation for Easter, Covenant
Communications is publishing a series of online devotionals, gleaned
from the more than 250 local church newsletters received each month and
used with permission of the writers. The following devotional comes from
pastor Joel Anderle of Community Covenant Church in West Peabody,
Massachusetts.
By Joel Anderle
I will never be a great hockey player. I can live with that. However, I
cannot live with being the same hockey player. Each time I play, each
time I skate, I want to see growth and change. I expect this of myself.
Not because change perfects me, but the change demonstrates that I'm
alive. If I'm going to play the game, I can't help but to evolve and be
transformed.
I hope that in looking at your life, you see a work in progress - a
faith being worked out in fear and trembling, as Paul comments. Lent,
and especially this week, is a period to consider your game and how
you're evolving, being transformed and growing. How's it going? How's it
look? If you're playing the same game as you were last year, how do you
endure that? There's no place to which one arrives. There's no
completing. There's no finish line. There's just more opportunity to play.
On Ash Wednesday, we worship God in the sanctuary and consider the two
ancient sayings of priests and ministers as they offer ashes to the
mortal. "Remember you are dust and to dust you will return" and "repent
and live the Good News." Both are essential to understanding our time of
preparation. One reminds us that we will never be perfect. We're broke
and in dire need of fixing. However, the other reminds us that Jesus
offers us a chance to really live. It's glorious - this living - because
it's a gift from God who ensures its possibility and facilitates its
development.
When I consider my life as a gift - each day as a gift, then growing
each day and appreciating it more and more is the only appropriate
response. My life must be a long journey of faithfulness in a single
direction.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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