holding to (Friday's) account

At the beginning of the week, I tweeted (rather rashly) that I had a quieter week which I would use to recalibrate & re-establish some good practices. I also suggested that I'd blog how I went on, more for accountability (always a good thing) than any other reason.

The reality is, it's been a mixed week - improvements in some areas, with some things I clearly need to keep working on & working through & a continuing realisation that some things will be a lifetimes work!

Within all of that, there were two highlights

1. On Tuesday we had our (CCN) staff away day & at the end of the day a number of people were given prophetic words: mine was to remain passionate without striving. I can't (& for now won't) tell you why that was so spot on. Safe to say - I'm working on it, but suspect it may be one of the lifetime jobs!
2. As part of my jumping around the bible, I currently find myself in John & arrived at chapter 4. I was struck (alomst literally) by the fact that twice Jesus point blank refuses the chance to compete or allow comparison.

Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee (v.1-3)

Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?" Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again (v.12-13)

I need to hear this, competing is one of the main ways my vanity manifests itself. Safe to say - I'm working on it, but suspect it may be one of the lifetime jobs!

Although I have a busier week next week, my determination is to carry on with an intentional focus on the things I know stand me in good stead, even if I have to keep going for months & years.

Not sure I'd like to commit to another weekly update this time next week, suspect it'd be a bit boring & repetitive. I will, however, blog again during the next few days - there are a few things I'm mulling, including the word magnify.

Yours in Him

Jonathan