The men’s breakfast saw men from all congregations gather for food – both physical and spiritual. Both were excellent – the food from the kitchen was delicious and plentiful, the food from the front was filling and thought provoking. The time was a great opportunity to talk about what we heard with those we knew already and those that we were meeting for the first time.
Jon Drake spoke on the subject of ‘Life on the hamster wheel’. One of the challenges that we all face is that in this world we are often assessed by how much we achieve. Our value can be based on how busy, how wealthy, or how well known we are.
And we can apply this way of measuring success to ourselves and others. Do you find yourself thinking, if only I did more ……. then this would be achieved, and then I will be worthwhile or valued more? This thinking can lead to anxiety, worry and also pride derived from personal achievement.
So before hearing what the Bible has to say about these things, we discussed these issues around our tables with two question prompts:
- Why do we so easily find our identity in what we do?
- What problems come from finding our value in our achievements?
Our table reflected that achieving things can be quite satisfying but could also become all-consuming, especially if failing. There’s a lot of focus in society on what we do which can lead to getting identity though work or doing things. Also, what we do is often easier to speak about in conversation that relating on a more meaningful level.
We discussed that achievements are often passing and that when we don’t achieve, it can result in us becoming despondent. Another problem is that we may try to continually do things to achieve and miss out on the fullness of life.
Jon, however, guided us back to the Bible and to Jesus. Looking to Jesus for our identity and our value we see that our works and actions are not the ways we should measure success. Knowing that whilst we are not perfect, we know that Jesus is. We should look to him and the certain hope that is found in Ephesians:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10
A fantastic morning of food, faith and fellowship.
See you at the next one!