Daily reading: 30 January
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
True partners
Something to read
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
- Philemon 4-7 (NIV).
Something to think about
As someone in a civil partnership, I spend more time than most thinking about what ‘partner’ really means, and what people hear when I use that term about my spouse. For those who have experience in business, legal or medical practice, ‘partner’ might have different resonances. But my strongest associations are from school: being paired up with a classmate to work on a project, with varying success. I generally preferred to work alone, and found being landed with a partner a wearisome chore. My civil partnership is thankfully a much more positive experience!
When Paul describes people as partners in faith and in the gospel, he expresses a kind of mutual encouragement and growth that characterises most successful relationships. With a shared sense of purpose and genuine joy in one another, both sides of the partnership are enriched by the connection.
That’s why Christian Aid is so committed to its partnership model; genuine relationships with local organisations and with UK supporters are the foundation of every aspect of their work.
Something to do
Explore Christian Aid’s partnership model in more depth and be inspired by the vast numbers of people working together against poverty and for justice.
Something to pray
God of friendship, thank you that you don’t call us to follow you alone, but you give us friends and companions for the journey. Help me to be a true partner in faith to all those you have put in my life, encouraging one another and offering mutual help and support. Amen.
Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones