Mark 10:45 NIV – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Let’s start with some history and a Scottish engineering structure. We speak and hold to the belief that we as SFC are to be the bridge between the shred culture and Jesus. I want to expand on that image above. Yes it’s a marvelous feat of engineering but it serves a massive purpose not to just stand proud to all around. It was designed (by an Englishman, credit where it’s due) to allow people to flow between two communities cut off by the strong tidal sea waters of the forth. I myself have used this bridge on many occasions and just took it for granted never knowing fully the cost involved for me to freely use it.
We could often look back and give thanks for those that made a great sacrifice for our freedom, but none of coarse greater than master builder Jesus. As an example with this bridge it too came with a massive cost not only financially but with the lives of those who were involved in building this structure. 73 lives in total to this day have been sadly lost. I focus on this bridge as an example as I believe there is something for us all to learn from it, whether it be continually giving thanks and encouraging those still involved in building bridges in the shred culture or for some of us that need to follow Christ’s greatest example of Mark 10:42-45 of serving and get involved .
These bridges need maintenance, we have a saying in Scotland derived from this very bridge when a task seems endless, “it’s like painting the forth railway bridge.” The meaning of this phrase is that this bridge is a solid metal structure and sea air doesn’t do it any favours so workers have to paint from one end and go right to the end only to go back to the start and do it all over again. With those of us that are involved in serving our local shred communities, be encouraged! Keep going!
Yes it takes perseverance; sometimes it would even seem endless but as stated in Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
SFC core values B.R.I.D.G.E
Believe.Relationship.Identity.Doing.Gospel.Engage
Like the body we all have a function, through it we have an amazing opportunity to be the light of Jesus in our communities.
Challenge
Am I being an encouragement to my brothers and sisters in Christ as we serve the local shred community? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Am I being the light of Jesus by serving others?
Could I help and encouragement by plugging into a SFC local chapter?
By Brian Rae | Aberdeen, Scotland