22 July

Dear Friends,

As I have been confined to the manse over the last week or two, I have been watching the world Athletics Championships from Oregon on TV.

It was great to see two Scottish athletes, Laura Muir and Jake Wightman, win bronze and gold in their 1500m races. It has also been good to see the athletes from the Netherlands do well, with two silvers and a bronze.

What I have noticed, especially with the athletes in the field events, is that after each jump or throw, they go over to their coach for advice. Even if they are the world record holder, they still need their coach to encourage them.

As Christians, we also need a coach. We need someone who knows all about us and can give us encouragement and advice.

The writer to the Hebrews compares the Christian life to a race:

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith………..consider Him who endured such hostility against Himself from sinners, so that you will not grow weary or lose heart. - Hebrews 12 v 1-3.

And in the book of Isaiah we read:

“Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40 v 30-31.

May each one of us recognise the great importance of having the Lord Jesus as our Coach, and go to Him each day for encouragement and strength.

Every blessing,

Rev. Scott Guy

(Locum minister)