Minister’s Letter – February 2017

 

As this edition of the church newsletter is published, we at The Drive are celebrating our Annual Covenant Service. When we read the words that we are asked to say we might feel ourselves overwhelmed by the enormity of the undertaking to which we expose ourselves. We would be right to feel so, for what we do is an enormous undertaking.

Remember the words we say in that service:

 

I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me and when there is none;
when I am troubled and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;
when I have all things, and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer all I have and am
to serve you, as and where you choose.
Glorious and blessèd God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.

 

The things about a Covenant is that it is not a contract. It is, rather, the establishment of a relationship and the setting out on a journey. Rather like marriage, it is for better and for worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health. When we are in Covenant relationship, we are in a very particular relationship which depends upon the parties of the covenant living their lives according to its promises and expectations.

 

As Christian people, living in Covenant relationship with God, our greatest challenge is to live our lives according to the promises and expectations expressed in this Covenant prayer. We wholeheartedly render all things to God’s will, our lives, our work, our esteem. We allow God to direct and send us, to challenge us to new things. In doing so, we submit our very selves, all that we are, everything that we shall be, to God.

And in return? God offers his very self, all that he is, everything that he shall be, back to us. I think that is a pretty awesome deal.

 

Blessings abound

 

Adrian