Our P.C.C. away day recently tackled the question of the responsibility we have to the environment, and Brian has a fuller report of what happened later in this magazine. 

It prompted a discussion at home with Hazel saying that we now recycle over 50% of our rubbish.  I felt good about that, but then realised that that was simply the easy bit, like separating paper, bottles, card etc, and that to progress beyond that was going to need more thought, effort and inconvenience. 

Then the thought also struck me that growing in our Christian discipleship had a similar pitfall.  What I mean by that is that it is all too easy to reach a point in our Christian commitment where we feel content, even useful and as a result make no effort to progress beyond that. 

Growing in our relationship with God, deepening our understanding of Scripture, opening ourselves to new ways of service, using any gifts we have been given, can only happen if we are prepared to put ourselves out, to open ourselves to the power of Gods Holy Spirit working within us. 

How do we do this?  By reading and prayer, by taking part in things which may be beyond our comfort zone, by being prepared to witness in conversation, by giving time to others we may find difficult, by being honest about where we are spiritually. 

We are all a “work in progress”, and need to avoid the temptation of comparing ourselves with anyone other than Jesus.  So please keep on growing because only then can God’s Kingdom be extended as others come to know Him as well.