Have you heard of Lachie Stuart, the Queensland man who has been doing 58 marathons in 58 days, the last one being run this week? He has been on a mission to raise money for mental health in Australia. Ten years ago, he had hit rock bottom and now wants to help others.
There are parallels in a runner’s life that can teach us about discipleship. (See 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1-2) We have been learning that discipleship is relational, intentional and formational. For Lachie to run in all weathers across the USA and Australia, he has been relational (his support network) very intentional (running a marathon needs serious training, and also formational (it has transformed Lachie).
Last month I wrote about the wonder and joy of praying with Rhett as he repented of sin and put his faith in Jesus Christ to save him. In our eagerness to care for this newborn, we had called the pastor of the nearest local church (Baptist). Rhett is homeless, currently living in a tent. The pastor gave him good help with ongoing help supplied by a not-for-profit organisation nearby which provides practical assistance in the community for the homeless including food, showers and laundry facilities. Pray for Rhett to get back on his feet, find a job, accommodation and be established in the Faith.
A week later, Rhett is looking much better, is eager to look at the Bible with us and tells us what help he has received. By the way, I have got his permission to share parts of his story. On Sunday he had gone to church and by God-coincidence had met up with an old school friend who got alongside him, showed him the Bible app to download, and has since been picking him up every Sunday for church. Rhett told us he has been reading Matthew on the Bible app.
Two weeks later, my friends and I meet Rhett again for Bible study and chat. With the approaching cyclone, we ask for God’s mercy and help. Rhett told us this week that he had managed to find shelter during Alfred in two different homes, so he was able to stay dry. The mercies of God!
A newborn in Christ, Rhett has a heightened sense of the goodness of God. One week, he humbly commented after a prayer for mercy that God had been incredibly merciful to him. ‘I shouldn’t be alive,’ he said, ‘but God has shown me mercy…When I met you last month, I was thinking what rock bottom came after the rock bottom I was already experiencing.’ Rhett tells us of his attempts at suicide and how God rescued him. He is sober with gratitude.
In church we have been reminded of key elements to finish well as a disciple of Christ: God’s Word and Christian community. Starting a marathon is easy but finishing well requires hearing from God, perseverance, and intentional relationships for Christ to be formed in us and to finish well.
Rose
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