大象传媒

Good morning.听

A staggering three billion people are expected to watch today as the most famous cycle race in the world - The Tour de France gets underway. With Yorkshire playing host to 'Le Grand Depart', this Gallic visit to the north of England seems particularly fitting as the competition has been won for the past two years by British riders. And as ever, when sporting success comes to a country there is a fresh groundswell of amateur enthusiasm. Organisers, and no doubt our bike shop owners, will be hoping that those who wear the yellow jersey will get young and old alike back in love with pedal power.

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If bicycles are not our thing then there's a wealth of other sporting inspiration this weekend, with the quarter finals of the World Cup in Brazil or听 the finals of Wimbledon.

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There's no denying that great sporting men and women can encourage us to transform our lives.听But what is often not seen are the hours of dedicated training, the sacrifices made to push their body and mind to the limits of human endurance.

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As it says in the Bible's book of Hebrews, they've learnt to throw off everything that hinders their success; they've disciplined their lives and dedicated themselves in running the race marked out for them.

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The scriptures know that what is true of sport speaks to other aspects of our lives - the challenges we might face with families or finance or simply facing a new day. In those moments when we're weary and lose heart, everyone needs encouragement to go听on and win whatever prize we seek. The Christian hope finds inspiration in the example of Jesus, but knows too that each of us must cheer the other on, if we are to change our lives and become the best that we can be.听

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Dear God

when the race of life is tough

help us fix our eyes upon your Son, Jesus听听听听听

May we find in his example听

strength sufficient for ourselves听听

and the vigour to inspire others to keep on keeping on 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

Amen