Thursday Reflection from Archdeacon Brian September 15, 2023
The Power of One
Let's pick up from last week--from Bishop Anna’s comment, “The future is not going to look like the past, and the future is bright.” The question we could now ask is, “What difference can I, one person,make?”
This summer, we visited Flo’s hometown of Biggar, Saskatchewan. That's where this "Thursday Reflection" started to germinate, and take on life – 'The Power of One'.
Consider the following images:
The first is of Sandra Schmirler, Curling Champion, who hailed from Biggar, Saskatchewan.
The second is of the world-renowned “Hanson Buck”, which was hunted by Milo Hanson, of Biggar, Saskatchewan. (The Hanson Buck had the largest set of antlers ever recorded in North America to date.)
The third is of an image by artist Del Parson, titled 'He is Risen'. Jesus of Nazareth.
Each of the individuals portrayed has generated the “possible” in local and worldly places, inspiring people to go beyond the idea of possibility.
Sandra Schmirler continues to give young girls the ideal of possibility.
The Hanson Buck continues to attract sport hunters, to scout hills and bluffs in Saskatchewan for the possibility of seeing another of his line, and the opportunity to pose for a trophy picture.
Jesus continues to capture the imagination of countless followers: women and men who have shared the good news of salvation for all; women and men who (in many cases) have dropped whatever their career path to follow him in his ministry, to serve.
These three individuals portrayed hold another common characteristic: their very rural roots.
We all know what the world said about Jesus: “can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Similarly, who would have thought a young woman, learning to curl on two sheets of ice in small town Saskatchewan, could capture the attention of the world?
Also, the Hanson Buck--putting a pin labelled “Biggar, Saskatchewan” on the North American map, thus attracting multitudes to consider possibility.
Have you ever considered your likelihood of being an influence for your community, or possibly, the world?
Jesus calls each one of us to consider such.
In Luke 9.62 we read: ‘And Jesus said unto him, “No person, having put their hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”’.
Such a mental image is important for a curler.
You only make your shot when looking at the broom at the other end of the ice, not at the rock you are throwing.
Continue to look forward, not turning back.
Keep looking ahead, exploring yourplace in the future church.
