THIS ONE THING

‘Down on your knees,’ said Shakespeare’s Rosalind. She knew that what’s important best comes in monosyllables. She also had a fair amount of common sense and when to choose between keeping shtum and speaking up. This was a time for speaking up. She went on: ‘And thank heaven fasting for a good man’s love.’

Paul also knew when to be succinct and when to grapple with an outstanding problem in the early Christian movement. In three chapters of his letter to the Roman believers (9-11) he plunged into deep waters with the continuing purpose of God for Israel and mankind. Writing to the Philippian believers he used the phrase ‘this one thing’. He used the words as we might say today: ‘Get on with it.’ Forget the past, he was saying. ‘Look to the future and your magnjficent destiny.’ (3.13) This is one of those occasions when the KJV version can hardly be bettered. In full the quotation goes: ‘…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’

In terms of concentrated purpose the signal can be paralleled by Satan’s infamous call to his fallen angels in Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ to apply themselves to the study of revenge. We find ourselves accepting that the contest between good and evil in our cosmic setting is one in which mighty forces are engaged.

KENILWORTH NODS

Andrew Attwood leads the ministry team at St John’s, Kenilworth, Warwickshire and there is plenty going on in the parish. The church has a nod to its priorities in featuring 316 in its email address.

LIFE GROUPS

Cramlington parish church, Northumberland has an expanding role for life groups, i.e. people with a common interest. Hope Centre is a community hub in the heart of the town. Leading the ministry team (nice mug-shots) is William Docherty.

PENN STREET

Penn Street and Homer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks. have Ruth Atkinson leading the ministry team. Her husband Ron is a professional musical and her career has included HR management. The church has a centre with a busy programme.

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