St Francis’ Race
Dear Friends
Just recently, I have been reading Sir Jackie Stewart’s autobiography. Now many celebrities put their name to fairly bland volumes probably penned by ghost writers. But this is certainly not the case for this famous racing driver from Dumbarton. Since, even in his memoirs early chapters, he makes quite clear he has something to say. Not least on his own disability which is dyslexia. But he then goes on to tells us what he considers forms the character of the truly great - be it an elite sportsman or woman, a captain of industry or world class politician. And he does so by quoting his old shooting coach who said to him when, after much national success in the sport, he had to face real failure:
‘stay calm, don’t get distracted by the temptations of the good times. Instead stay firmly focussed on the basic elements of the challenge, keep you head down and get on with it’.
Well recently we looked at how the church had to rebuild itself time after time in the dark and middle ages. And on each occasion, the advice that Jackie received was also the approach that the Christian Church took to move on and remain relevant in ordinary people’s lives. This was never truer than for the ‘church rebuilder’ who featured in the last sermon – Saint Francis of Assisi. Because, it was he who saw the need to express the gospel relevantly in the newly expanding cities. As a result he and his companions went out to where people were spiritually, materially and geographically. He went out to engage with the big issues and challenges that affected those who had lost faith. In fact, he went even to the worst places to tell in contemporary language of the love of Christ and His invitation to enjoy his glory.
Well today many feel that the Church is a well run hat shop in an era when people don’t wear hats. Put bleakly – it is irrelevant. But if we apply Jackie Stewart’s advice in our pursuit of Saint Francis’ strategy, we will not only rebuild the Church in the hearts of many, we will also encourage them not to wear a hat but an eternal crown instead. And what is more relevant than that!
With every blessing
Graham
