The annual fellowship adventure found seven men arriving in time for supper on Thursday night at the comfortable Pines in Sussex. Due to some clever planning, a grocery truck was delivering food when we arrived.
During the stay, Ian Miller led us as we studied Tim Chester’s book Enjoying God. This text provided clarity about the relationship between our salvation and our behaviour. It neatly described our salvation as being entirely through God’s grace, creating our union with God. However, Tim Chester also talked about our role in contributing to our communion with God – our relationship with him. The book focussed on that relationship, or communion, with God. It usefully divided the sections to look at our communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit showing that we experience their work in every part of our lives. This was a novel approach to me and surprisingly helpful in enhancing in our communion with the triune God.
The group enjoyed great fellowship during the mealtimes and thank Paul Muir for organising the menu and ordering the delivery and for bringing his coffee machine, to the weekend-long delight of all present. Thanks also to all who helped prepare the meals.
On Friday afternoon, Brian Jones had planned a five mile walk in the South Downs National Park from Amberley to Arundel, which turned out to be an allegory for the Christian life, with a difficult period on a boggy riverside path with lots of slipping and a few falls, followed by a steady climb to a higher plane ending up at the castle. Some encouraging aspects of this were the mutual support and care, reflecting the love shared between the brothers, and the good humour and lack of foul language even during painful moments. The walk provided ample opportunity to enjoy God in his creation. Many of us made notes on what to bring or wear the next time.
Friday evening saw us playing a game that tested our understanding of each other’s characters and caused much mirth and enjoyment before we retired for a welcome rest.
Saturday dawned with another lovely weather day, some sadness that the time together was ending, but also looking forward to getting home to our beloved families.
Throughout the time away, the group was kind and open, and willing to share personal and deep thoughts, in a safe and trusting environment. As a teenager, I was drawn to Christ by the glorious love between his children and continue to be struck by how we reflect God in our love for others. The immersion in God’s word with his children over a few days is a great blessing, tremendously encouraging and inspirational, and enough time to explore a concept in greater depth.
This is my third Men’s Weekend Away, and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone contemplating the next one.