Building a team to stay together for life !
In a few days time my life will change at least for the next year that is if the General Assembly accept me as their Moderator. So we started moving into the Moderator's flat this weekend. You know its strange packing up and leaving the house you've lived in for over 30 years. I'm just glad I know the people who are moving in next. Taking things with you that remind you of home are so important. It got me thinking of the thousands of refugees who have to pack up and go carrying their most precious items that remind them of the home. And its often in the knowledge that they can never return.
I've been preparing the reflections for the General Assembly. This evening I've been reflecting on Ruth and Naomi. Amazing women! Here are two widows one in particular a foreigner a refugee returning with her mother-in-law to Bethlehem. They had been living in Moab for years, they were returning with very little,no doubt a few personal belongings. the whole story is just quite beautiful. It has all the ingrediants for a Hollywood love story. On the road Naomi the older woman, seeks to convince her daughter in laws to go back home. One does, but Ruth says the following to Naomi:
"Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Its just such a moving story and the King James version sums it up wonderfully. There is no need for Ruth to stay. She could go back to her own family. But Ruth has made a promise, its really a covenant, and in the end Naomi accepts. Together these women change each other's lives. No contract was issued, just a an understanding that each one wanted what the other wanted. Often in a contract the agreement is made so that each side gets what they want. However a Covenant is when each side wants to deliver what the other side wants regardless of the cost or commitment.
When I visited the Billy Graham Organisation a few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Cliff Barrows. He headed up the musical team of mass choirs. He told me that Billy Graham invited himself and George Beverley Shea to join his team way back in I think he said, 1947 just before the London Crusade. He said to me, " we just said to Bill, we'll be around for as long as you need us." They're still together as friends and mentors 66 years later. He continued, "We've decided that we'll be buried in three plots all next to each other." I found that comment quite inspirational. It reflected the love that Ruth had for Naomi.
I pray that more and more of us who long to be servants of Christ will see the significance of being in Christ's service for the long haul. I also pray that more and more of us in the Church of Scotland will learn to value and nurture our friendshps with each other. Working together over the years creates trust and loyalty. Oh one other thing I found out, which was quite revealing. Cliff Barrows, never wanted to be a Christian musician. He wanted to be a preacher. He smiled and said," but God anointed Bill so I did the music, he did the preaching and I had he privelege of pinning his microphone on and always praying with him"
Now that is just one small example of what it means to be a servant. To take the back seat while another is called to be up front. Let us never despise the small things we can do for each other.
Posted By: Susan On: 14 May 2012 At: 10:01pm
Hey Albert - we are delighted to take a back seat to let you, as God has asked you to do, take a front one!!
We don’t sit back though.
Our job is just as important as yours (forgive me for bursting your bubble!!). Ours is to pray for you… to encourage and support you… to be there for you as you (and we) fulfil God’s calling over these next few months.
that’s teamwork! Recognising our distinctive roles under God, as step by step he leads us all.
Have a wonderful, blessed, inspirational yesr. Love to youz both!
Susan and Derek (Dornoch)