Sizonqoba

Sizonqoba - 'together we triumph.'
This was the motivational slogan for Comrades 2019 and I felt honoured to be running in this years race. My experience of running in this awesome event is that it brings all sorts of people together, all with the same common goal - to finish the race!

Of course we can draw a wonderful parallel with our Christian race and if Jesus spoke isizulu he may have even told his disciples - Sizonqoba! As a Church community the more we learn to rely on each other and to help each other, then the more we will all triumph in the end. God is glorified in the collective Body of Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 -Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Twelfth Hour

“The man that decided to change on the 12th hour died at the 11th.” - Hlovate

We come to the end of November today - the 11th month of 2018. I am struck by how many people are slipping into holiday mode already, yet I feel that there is still so much more to do! Perhaps it is because in the ministry December is a busy time, but I am also conscious of making the most of our days. 

If you still feel that 2018 hasn't "delivered" on what you hoped it would, then please don't rest yet. There is still time to do what God has called you to do. The 12th hour has just begun and this is when we can still commit to end well!

To use another analogy - Comrades Marathon runners know that the majority of the field only cross the line between the 11th and 12th hours. So, they know that the "last hour" is the most crucial of them all. Friends, there is so much more running to do, so let's put one foot in front of the next and get going.  God be with you.

1 John 2:18 - "Children, it is the last hour."

I am going to taking a Spiritual Journey through the book of Malachi this Advent season, so I invite you to join me tomorrow to see where this takes us.  

Living in Grace, 

D3LM3

Asijiki - no turning back!

The theme for Comrades 2018 is ASIJIKI, which means 'No turning back.' I think that this not only a good motto for running the Comrades marathon but also for life in general. Turning back can be seen as a sign of defeat and losing ground. Whatever you are tackling at the moment keep looking forward and don't turn back!

As we follow Jesus, let us not turn around and long for our previous lives, but let us look forward to what God has in store for us all.

Galatians 4:9 -So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? 

Please also say a prayer for us as we run the Comrades today. We need all the prayers we can get.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Zinikele - it takes all of you

The official slogan for the Comrades is "Zinikele", which means "It takes all of you!" Too be honest I had not come across the word before, but I will remember it for a long time to come. I am only a novice when it comes to running, and competing in one comrades doesn't qualify me for any special merits, but I can DEFINITELY confirm that ZINIKELE is the right word for the race. It takes everything out of you - blood, sweat and tears. I can safely say that those 87 kilometers were the hardest journey I have been on so far.

Just a reflection on this word: Zinikele, in light of our Christian faith. If we want to be true disciples of Jesus, then we need to expect that it will also TAKE ALL OF US. This is why Jesus asked his followers to count the cost of following him. Being a Christ-follower is not an easy journey and it is best we realise this right from the start.

Are we willing to give all for Jesus today?

Luke 9:57-62

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A word of encouragement

"The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,    for the Lord upholds him with his hand." - Psalm 37:23-24

These are words I had written on my arm as I ran the Comrades yesterday. I felt as if God had given me these words a few days before the race and I certainly needed these words of encouragement many times along the route. There were 2 particular times that I stumbled and wondered if I could carry on, but there were people around me who acted like 'angels' helping me. 

Next time you wonder if God is around, take a careful read of his word and see how the Spirit can use God's words of encouragement for your situation.

God bless you and thank you for all the prayers and encouragement along the way on Sunday. I needed those prayers.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Respect to all Comrades runners

Every year I am inspired by the thousands of crazy people who run the Comrades marathon. I think it is amazing and I "take my hat off" to anyone who attempts this race.

• I love the fact that the race was first run (1921) to honour the men/women who had fallen in the First World War.
• I love the fact that the spirit of the race is incredible and that people from all walks of life come together to conqueror the race.
• I love the fact that people of all ages, creeds and colours attempt the same challenge and can find "common ground" in tackling the 90 Km's of pain.

I believe that our world needs more events like the Comrades, so that we can all be inspired to overcome our fears and the massive issues in our Nation. Well done to all of you who have run it - you have inspired us all. (I may just have to attempt the race one day :)

1 Corinthians 9:24 - "Don’t you know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize? So then, run to win!"

“It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant

Living in Grace
D3LM3