Te Awamutu is a community that offers a wide range of events and initiatives that draw people out of their homes to connect with each other, which I think is fantastic to see.
You only have to drive past Te Awamutu Sports ground on a Saturday and see how many cars are parked on the roadside, indicating a horde of players and supporters on the field.
Phil Strong
Local markets bloom with stalls and shoppers – hopefully more of the latter. And recently, I heard of a bottleneck of ramblers on the side of Mount Pirongia.
My wife and I recently enjoyed the latest show offered by Te Awamutu Light Operatic Society.
The cast and crew presented an ‘original production’ with Mavis and Molly leading the audience and cast through a madcap Mediterranean musical. It was a lively, entertaining script with many genres of music and dance.
We watched a friend in the cast embrace his role with vigour, enthusiasm and competence.
I remarked to my wife how I could see he was really enjoying himself and sent him a text of encouragement and thanks the following morning.
It was delightful to see the entire crew thriving in their passion while offering their talent for the benefit of others.
God’s word reminds us that we are created by God and prepared for unique works as masterpieces of design.
You are unique and carefully crafted for your talent to be displayed to the world; whether that be in song and dance, or business, or sport, or raising children, or writing, perhaps even brain surgery! When we flourish in the areas we have been given as passion or proficiency, we give honour to the One who created us that way.
The 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, gives us a wonderful example of this in Eric Liddell, the British runner competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics. In the movie he says, “I believe God made me for a purpose – but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
I’ve recently been personally challenged in this area while reviewing life priorities; past, present and future.
While pursuing personal success is an attractive ambition held by many of us, imagine how it would feel to climb to the top of the ladder of success only to discover it’s leaning against the wrong wall.
One writer in the Bible, Paul of Tarsus, adds to the challenge of my consideration with his personal revelation that all position, privilege, prize or power is worthless when compared to the richness of knowing Jesus Christ as friend and Saviour.
He uses strong language, saying he considers all else “dung,” save for this one critical thing.
We should celebrate each other and the gift we are created to be to the world. We should shine with all our talent and zeal. But we should not forget to turn amidst the praise to give all credit to the designer who creates us to shine.
