大象传媒

Good morning,

I spend part of my time working as a chaplain in a local high school听where I am learning lots about ministry often in unexpected ways. When a stray dog was discovered trapped in the school yard, lots of people tried to help to get it out, but it didn鈥檛 seem willing to go near anyone. When the bell rang for lessons to begin, I thought I鈥檇 stay outside and try to catch it. It seemed a caring thing to do, and if I鈥檓 honest, it was a bit of a challenge, I wanted to be the one who鈥檇 succeed where others hadn鈥檛.

听

After nearly an hour I started to feel foolish: everything I tried didn鈥檛 work. I鈥檇 called the dog and whistled for it. I鈥檇 stayed still, waiting for him to come to me, and I鈥檇 chased him. Eventually he retreated into a thorny hedge and crouched there whimpering. I climbed in after him and I sat in the hedge, talking softly to him. I wondered whether I should give up, but finally he crept towards me and allowed me to grab his collar and pull him out.

听

By now it was break time, most of the school were outside and saw me muddy, scratched and clutching the wet dog. Far from thinking I鈥檇 done a good job catching him, it seemed most of the pupils thought that the dog must be mine! It wasn鈥檛 quite the triumphant rescue I鈥檇 imagined.

听

By contrast in the ministry of Jesus we find a completely unselfish model of caring. Jesus deliberately put himself in the way of people in need and risked his reputation and even his life - not to make himself look good but to show people the patient, self-giving care God has for all of creation.

听

God give me grace today in any opportunities I have to serve you by helping others. Teach me to recognise my own needs and to offer my friendship with a glad and generous heart. Amen.