Against the flow

Report by Maureen Evers, Potton

Friday 21 May 2003 was a day of fellowship for the East Midlands ladies. About 50 ladies gathered together at Potton Baptist Church for the occasion. The speaker was Ann Benton (Guildford) and the subject was 'Against the Flow'.

Session 1 - Priorities in a Pressurised World

This opened with the reading of Ephesians 5.1-20, special attention being shown to verses 15-16. The challenge was given 'how do we spend our time?' We were reminded of the false assumption that ‘our time is our own’. Time is a loan from God and not ours to do with as we please.
We were given three contemporary assumptions to challenge - all completely out of keeping with God’s Word:

1. The nature of personal achievement (which perhaps applies more to younger women). The pressure to have a career. Being made to feel that being a mother and housewife is not a proper job. Continually facing the challenge to be a woman of the world.

Ann reminded us of God’s special relationship with Adam and Eve. God created the world and was pleased. God made Adam and Eve and spoke with them. God did not speak with any other of his creation. True achievement and potential can only be found in God. True happiness and fulfilment is in God alone. The Catechism tells us ‘to glorify God and enjoy Him forever’.

2. Lifestyle aspiration. The impression given by the media is that a certain lifestyle is a must if we are to be happy and content.

3. Ease and comfort and our right to it. Ann questioned whether we rush about that we might have time for ourselves, or do we do as the Scriptures tell us, rest that we might work? Do not make rest and comfort your goal. Rather rest that you may serve God.

Personal Fulfilments. Lifestyle Aspirations. Comfort and our right to it. All perfectly harmless, but contrary to the Bible and idolatry. If we are ruled by them they lead us completely down the wrong path. Our attention was drawn to 1 Kings 16 and the pointless lives and wasted time of very important kings. We do not have to worry about having the things the people of the world think important. We were given five biblical principles to apply to evaluate how we are to use our time.

1. The principal of the Kingdom - Matthew 6.33: ‘ Seek first...

2. The principal of Usefulness - Ephesians 4.28: Devoting ourselves to doing good. Using our time wisely. This could involve doing menial tasks and getting no thanks.

3. The principal of Love - Ephesians 5 - live a life of love. Remember to do everything with love. This world is starved of love.

4. The principal of Sacrifice - expect the ways you choose to use your time and energy to cost you.

5. The principal of the One Thing Needed. Our example is Mary and Martha. One stood on her feet and served. One sat at the feet of Jesus and served. We must be prepared to do both.

Session 2

This was more of a discussional nature. We were challenged about our involvement in our towns and villages. What are we doing as individuals? As churches? Are we as fully involved as we can be? There is great need for helpers in our schools. Ann pointed out that you do not have to be a parent to be a school governor. Perhaps you could be a lollipop lady or playground assistant. This would be a means of being a Christian witness in your area. Could your youth club, old people's home, or disability centre benefit from your love, care and support? As a Christian you could bring new insights and influences to the organisation.

So much more was said, but time and a word limit does not permit me to write more. All I can say is I felt it was TIME WELL SPENT.

Some photos