The turntable

There are some people pushing a turntable. In the middle of this turntable is a fire. When the people push quickly the fire grows rapidly, but mostly they are going at walking pace and the fire is growing gradually. If they stop, the fire dies down.

We are called to run with endurance. The christian walk is a marathon, and not a sprint, as many have said before. We are running to keep that fire alight, and we will see it grow slowly but steadily. But there are times when we need to push a little harder- maybe up the intensity of our prayer, or study a little more diligently, or be a little more focussed in our outreach.

It is at these times when people begin to fall out. Maybe some people are pushing harder than others, knocking some people out of the circle. Maybe some people are standing still, refusing to move forward, blocking the progress of the turntable. Maybe some people are trying to make a name for themselves by pushing the other way- that tends not to help at all. As the speed picks up, it becomes more difficult to keep people in step, but if you don't the progress is hindered as people get knocked out.

It is at these more intense times that we need the greatest unity.

We are on the verge of one of those times now. Push harder, run faster, pray bigger, study deeper... but don't forget to look around and make sure that we're all pushing the same way.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger; S
tiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage.