It struck me recently that I had been out of industry a very long time, in fact almost as long as I was in it.  Then as I pondered further, I realised a rather curious, and wonderful, symmetry...

For the first eighteen years of my life I was a child.  I can remember three of the (several) homes we lived in, all three primary, one 'middle' and one 'upper' school I attended along the way.  And today, whilst doing some mulling recalled that I was the first girl in my school to take 'A' level in Physics and Tech Drawing, along with the fact our school was probably ahead of its time because no-one considered it odd that I took tech drawing to 'O' level (quite a few girls did) or that my brother took home economics.  I recall wishing it had been possible to take more than four 'A' levels, as I'd have loved to do English and RE as well as my sciences and maths.

For the next eighteen years, I was an engineer, or training to be one.  Three years at university in London, with a sandwich year in Derby, gaining first class honours and the odd prize along the way.  Four years total in Derby, and eleven in Knutsford for a different company. I was the only girl on my course in my year, and being a swat, came top.  I think, overall, I was pretty good at what I did, and made a useful contribution to keeping hazardous industries safe enough.

The eighteen years up to the present, are ministry and training for it.  Four years in Manchester, in an ecumenical training cohort that was roughly equal numbers of men and women.  Another first class honours degree (cos I really am a girly swat) and (later) an MPhil.  Training placements in Catholic and Anglican churches as well as Baptist.  A semi-rural pastorate and now an urban one.  I'm never sure how to measure competence in ministry, but I think I do OK on the whole, and am privileged to serve some amazing people.

I kind of like the 18 - 18 - 18 pattern but, in case anyone is wondering, I have no plans to make any changes any time soon!  Another 18 years, 'if I am spared' as our West Indian friends would say, would take me well into retirement (I think I currently have 13 or 14 years to state pension age) and, to be honest, is way too far ahead to contemplate.  For now, I am just enjoying the symmetry and reflecting on what an amazing and fulfilling life I have lived this far.

My Own Story

Eric Liddell excelled in sports of all kinds – playing cricket and rugby as well as being a superb athlete.  He also enjoyed hill walking, notably climbing Ben Nevis just a day or two before a big athletics event!  He could have been a highly successful sportsman, but chose instead to pursue a call to overseas mission.

• What was/am I good that I have set aside either to pursue my career or calling, or because it seemed frivolous? Music?  Art? Sport? Something else?  How do I make space in my life to exercise these gifts God has given me, if simply for my own pleasure?
• Eric decided not to compete in sport on a Sunday because of his firm beliefs. How do my beliefs affect my views on the use of Sunday or other ‘rest days’?
• If Sabbath is made for people, and is about rest, how to I experience that in my own life?

Truth and Belief

The story of Eric Liddell is well known and loved, with some facts distorted and others embellished where it makes for a good story.  Chariots of Fire is far from historically accurate, yet carries a profound message that influences and inspires others.

• Pontius Pilate famously asked, ‘What is truth?’ How would you answer that question?

As a Congregationalist, Eric Liddell would not have been in the practice of reciting the ancient creeds of the established churches, yet he did create his own ‘creed’ (see bottom of post)

• Do creeds or statements of belief have a place?
• If I were to create my own ‘creed’, what would it say? How would it shape my life?

Situations Alter Cases – the Pastoral Imperative

Eric Liddell was a very devout Sabbatarian, yet whilst in the internment camp, he agreed to allow the young people to play sport on Sunday afternoons.  He was also very diligent in telling the truth and obeying rules, yet he was one of the leaders in smuggling extra food into the camp.

• Sometimes tensions arise between what we believe to be right and what a situation seems to demand of us. Can I think of an example where I have chosen the ‘pastoral imperative’ rather than my own natural inclination to guide my actions? 
• Am I more naturally a rule follower, a rule bender, or a rule breaker? Do I think it’s better to ask permission (and risk refusal) or apologise retrospectively (if what I have done causes offence)?

A legend?

Eric Liddell seems to have been a thoroughly nice man as well as an amazing athlete, teacher and missionary, yet he appears never to have become vain or conceited as a result

• Who do I consider to be ‘legends’ and why? In what ways do these people’s lives and personalities inspire and encourage me in my own life?

Eric Liddell’s Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator, infinitely holy and loving, who has a plan for the world, a plan for my life, and some daily work for me to do.

I believe in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, as Example, Lord, and Saviour.

I believe in the Holy Spirit who is able to guide my life so that I may know God's will; and I am prepared to allow him to guide and control my life.

I believe in God's law that I should love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength, and my neighbour as myself.

I believe it is God's will that the whole world should be without any barriers of race, colour, class, or anything else that breaks the spirit of fellowship.

I believe in the Sermon on the Mount and its way of life and I intend, God helping me, to embody it in my life.

Having opted not to use this on Sunday (it doens't quite fit) here is a prayer by Eric Liddell:

Father, I pray that no circumstances, however bitter or however long drawn out, may cause me to break thy law, the law of love to thee and to my neighbour.  That I may not become resentful, have hurt feelings, hate, or become embittered by life's expereinces, but that in and through all, I may see thy guiding hand and have a heart full of gratitude for thy daily mercy, daily love, daily power and daily presence.  Help me in the day when I need it most to remember that:

All things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 2:28)

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Philipians 4:13)

[God said], My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in they weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Yesterday I bought the kindle edition of a little book by Eric Liddell (so far as I can ascertain, first published about 40 years after his death) and it's excellent.  here's an extract, his presonal creed:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Creator, infinitely holy and loving, who has a plan for the world, a plan for my life, and some daily work for me to do.

I believe in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, as Example, Lord, and Saviour.

I believe in the Holy Spirit who is able to guide my life so that I may know God's will; and I am prepared to allow him to guide and control my life.

I believe in God's law that I should love the Lord my God with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength, and my neighbour as myself.

I believe it is God's will that the whole world should be without any barriers of race, colour, class, or anything else that breaks the spirit of fellowship.

He goes on to say, "To believe means to believe with the mind and heart, to accept, and to act accordingly on that basis."

Later in the book he also adds:

I believe in the Sermon on the Mount and its way of life and I intend, God helping me, to embody it in my life.

Who needs a sermon when you can share this?!

Week 3, discussion starters...

Going Deeper with Mari Jones – Some Questions to Ponder or Discuss

My Own Story

Mari (Mary) Jones is someone whose ‘story’ consists almost entirely of how she came to buy a Welsh Bible from Reverend Charles in Bala, and how that encounter affected him.  Thereafter, she lived a very ordinary life, working as a weaver, bringing up a family and keeping bees.

• Most of us would describe our lives as very ‘ordinary’ yet there will have been significant moments or events that shaped us. Can I identify something significant in my own story? 
• Mari never moved more than a few miles from the tiny village where she was born, and seems to have lived a quiet life. What encouragement can I draw from that?
• Who are the Mari Jones type people I’ve known, whose stories are unknown or untold, but whose lives have made a difference?

An Achievable Goal

The young Mari dreamed of learning to read and of owning her own Bible.  She worked hard to do that, attending school lessons when they became available, walking many miles to read a Bible owned by a farmer’s wife, and undertaking chores for which she was paid a penny or two.  It took a long time to save up the 3/6 (17 ½ p) to pay for her Bible, and she then undertook at 26 mile walk to Bala to buy one.

• Whilst a challenging goal, this was one that Mari could achieve with hard work and determination. What kind of goals (if any) do I set for myself?  Are they short, medium or long term?
• How persistent am I in pursuing my goals? What one thing might inspire me to deny other pleasures, take on extra work and save for a long time?
• The farmer’s wife and others helped Mari by giving her paid work. How could I help a young person achieve a goal to which they aspire? 

A Living Word?

As Baptists, we consider the Bible to be very important in informing our beliefs and our practices as followers of Jesus.  Throughout the centuries, people have worked hard to make this book available to people in their own languages

• What part does the Bible play in my own life? If I read it, what does that involve?  What helps me to make sense of it?
• What timeless truths and/or ethical principles do I find in the Bible? How do I live them out?

It’s OK to be Ordinary

Mari’s story is simple and brief, and most of her life was very ordinary, yet it continues to inspire individuals and organisations.

• How does affect the way I think about myself or others?
• What one thing will I take away from today, to encourage me in the days ahead?