Last week I went to a meeting at Lambeth Palace for the launch of Back To Church Sunday. It was a great event and Archbishop Rowan spoke eloquently on the simplicity of invitation – inviting a friend to something like church should be as natural as inviting a friend to a party!
Anyway, that’s not what I would like to talk about.
In one of the meeting rooms at Lambeth Palace there is a painting of Archbishop Laud. Underneath the painting is a glass display stand and inside the stand is a………..tortoise! Well actually it’s the shell of a tortoise. This tortoise, called Timothy, belonged to the Archbishop and lived for many years (outliving Laud and nine other Archbishops no less).
The famous fable of the tortoise and the hare proclaims the tortoise as a hero. He’s a hero not because of his speed, as we all know he’s a very slow creature, but because of his gentle perseverance and constancy – he gets there in the end and actually beats the hare who sets off at such a pace that he thinks he can take it easy.
But that’s not why I think the tortoise is a hero.
I think the tortoise is a hero because he reminds me of what I should do in my life. In order to get anywhere the tortoise has to stick its neck out. A tortoise can’t physically move without sticking its neck out.
As Christians we are called to stick our neck out for the Gospel. We are called to take risks for God. We are called to not settle for the easy life. We are called to be adventurers.
In the Bible God said this to Joshua when calling him to take a risk but he also says it to you and me as Christian believers when we step out in faith for Him: “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…..be strong and very courageous. Do not turn from the scriptures in that way you may have success wherever you go…meditate on the scriptures day and night….then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1: 5-9
C. S. Lewis said “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point”
Where do you need to stick your neck out for Jesus?
Looking forward to seeing you as we gather as church on Sunday. In preparation you might like to read the texts we will be using for the talks: Psalm 27: 4-5 Philippians 4: 10-19
Until then
Every blessing
Lee
The Reverend Lee Townend MA
All Saints’, Ilkley
Weddings Project
www.Ilkleypc.co.uk
Twitter: @Leethevicar
01943 430693
Lee Townend's Blog 