Part of the original bid for the Games carried that determined message. The Opening Ceremony brilliantly carried that commitment, as seven young aspiring athletes were given the privilege of lighting the Olympic flame together.
Investing in the future is essential, or else there will be not Games Legacy.
Our own Children's Holiday Club, so wonderfully completed yesterday, carried the same hope and desire - that children and young people would be inspired to aspire to become followers of Jesus, and find their lives transformed as they encounter Jesus. We had loads of fun and enjoyed many games and jokes. But our serious determination, as a church and community of Jesus followers, is to invest in work among children and young people.
Jesus challenged his followers to make a difference, and to reach out to the crowds around. 'Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”
But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!' (Luke 9.12-17)
What is impossible for us - to have an impact on the lives of children and young people, and meet their deepest needs, is not impossible for Jesus - if we will offer to him the little we have. He can take it and use it to change people for time & eternity. What a legacy that will be.
Best wishes,
Richard
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