ENLIST

   

    The Saanich Fall Fair has been a touchstone in my life for many years.  It reminds me of home, renews my appreciation for farmers and fills me with a sense of abundance.  After attending the fair as a spectator for many years, I was moved to become an exhibitor.  That meant more work before the fair, harvesting, arranging, polishing . . . a lot of fuss and anxiety.  But, the result of all that effort enhanced my fair experience.  I examined exhibits more carefully and with greater appreciation.  I couldn't wait to get into the exhibit hall to check out my entries.

 A prize ribbon put a smile on my face. 

    I used to bypass the junior's barn, but now I'm a keen observer, looking for tags that bear the names of children I know.   

     This year, I added another dimension to my fair experience, I worked as a volunteer.  Once more my understanding and appreciation grew.  I'm in awe at the sheer number of exhibits, all carefully recorded, displayed and judged. I've expanded my circle of acquaintances, and I've tried something new.  With every step that increased my involvement with the fair, my enjoyment and satisfaction has grown.
   

I take that as an object lesson in living.  If we stand back and merely observe, we'll get some pleasure and maybe learn something.  If we jump in and participate, we'll discover all kinds of new things, we'll stretch ourselves and we'll grow, plus we'll know the satisfaction of giving back.    
     September is a great time to put this lesson into practice. Classes are back in session, sports teams return to practice, choirs re-form, clubs set their agenda for the coming term.  This is an ideal time to up your level of participation. At church too, we're getting back into full gear after the summer season.  
     The Apostle Paul often exhorts the early Christians to pour themselves into their life in Christ.  1Tm. 6: 12 tells us to "fight the good fight." Heb.12:1 "run the race that is set before us." Eph. 6:11 "Put on the full armour of God."  I can't find any scriptural text that tells us to sit on the sidelines of life. 
     Why not make this the year you try something new?  Join the choir, or the Bible Study group, or the fellowship committee, or the pastoral care team.  Help out in the library or the nursery or the Sunday School.  Volunteer to weed flower beds or scrub the kitchen. Make a prayer list and pray it every day. Become a driver for shut-ins or the Compassionate Warehouse.  Make it your mission to remember Food Bank Sunday and remind others.  Find the gift God has given you, Rm. 12:8 and use it.
    There used to be a bumper sticker that said, "the glory of God is man, fully alive."  Let's all be "fully alive" at SPPC.