Oasis Church Gowerton

Hey everyone J

Something Rob said on Sat has chimed with my experience on Saturday night as I played that game where I was spun round by Wayne on one side of the course five times, then had to try to run in a straight line to Steve Hall at the other end; only to be spun another five times before running back. During this game I was completely incapable of running in a straight line. Something that is so simple became impossible to me because of the spinning that took place on either end of the course. Rachel actually came down onto the course at the end because I was so unnaturally incoherent that she felt I may have been having a hypo at the time!

Rob in his message on Saturday, reading from 1 Thess was talking about suffering and stated that sometimes suffering can be self inflicted. Our own sinful behaviour will result in suffering. As you all looked at me struggling to run in a straight line on Saturday, watching me stray so clearly from my course I could have told you that there was nothing I could have done to straighten up and run normally. I was doing my best, but my best was inhibited by my activities on each end of the course. What I needed to do was stop spinning, then my running would have returned to normal!

Sometimes people will see us running completely off path. We will say- I cannot behave differently! I have tried to straighten up, but I simply cannot. This may be because in some area of our lives we are spinning- there is an activity that we return to, that we repeat and repeat and that sets us away from our straight path. Yes, it is real, we cannot straighten up after the spin. But does that mean we waste our time and energy running an incoherent race? Or does it mean we have to ask God, examine the Bible, or ask a trusted Christian friend (who loves us and isn't looking for entertainment!) - What d'you think I need to change to run straight.

The real problem comes when we enjoy the spinning and won't give it up! We make excuses for why it cannot be removed from our lives. We find some element of fulfillment in our off-path running. Or when we find an identity in it, and maybe even enjoy the experience of having people around us who guide us back and therefore we are intent on setting off again.

Are you're running off path in some area of your life? Look to Jesus for the ultimate example of living. Find where you are spinning and be still.

Ben