WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK
As well as our children and grandchildren, many friends have urged me to write my story, including one friend who felt prompted by God to call in on his way home from work simply to tell me I should get on with the book. There are three main reasons why I wrote the book ‘Enjoy the Journey’
1. THE JOURNEY OF LIFE
When we moved to Stalybridge in 2009 I had occasion to drive back to Sheffield several times in the space of a couple of weeks in connection with a charity of which I was a director. I became tired of the 70 mile round trip and told God I was getting a little fed up with it. The clear thought came into my mind to “Stop moaning and enjoy the journey.” I believe it was God speaking to me and I began to enjoy the beautiful scenery that constitutes the A628 Woodhead Pass. In the summer the views are quite stunning but in the winter snow it can be quite perilous.
I mused on the thought of enjoying the journey in good and bad weather and considered another journey, the journey of life. Often, we are so preoccupied with the destination that we neglect to enjoy the journey, the process of getting there. This journey can at times be easy and enjoyable, sometimes difficult, disappointing and stressful. But I have learned that it can still be enjoyed. I am still learning to enjoy the journey of my life because I still enjoy life.
2. OVERSEAS MISSIONS
Regrettably, I never paid much attention to geography at school, despite Mr Knibbs’ efforts. Nonetheless, the subject of the world and its peoples has always appealed to me. The world is a fascinating place. When Rosemary and I became Christians I was gripped by the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel, found in Mark 16:15. We have been privileged to enjoy a glimpse of the Church of Jesus in other nations and I suggest that any church without a focus on other nations is missing out. There are very many people, some of whom I count among my special friends, with far more knowledge and wisdom on the subject of overseas missions.
I trust that my limited contribution may encourage others to follow God’s leading in life and enjoy all that that brings, including any venture into the work of taking the good news overseas as well as our immediate and national confines. That will make it worthwhile. I believe that every Christian, if given the opportunity, should visit the people of God in other nations and other cultures, if only to realise that the Saviour they love and the Church they belong to are not confined to their own culture. God is definitely not British! He is bigger than that. He is God.
3. INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL
Leadership, good or bad, is key to any situation. I remember admiring some of my school teachers, not all of them. The ones I admired, whether they were strict or lacking in discipline, were the teachers who inspired me in a way that made me want to follow them, which meant they themselves were good at their subject, enjoying it and yet still learning themselves. Over the years I have met people in church life who observe successful leaders and conclude that they could never hope to achieve similar standards and goals. I am grateful for those who have been an inspiration in my life and have encouraged me to believe that, with God helping me, I could always go further, I should never limit myself. In particular I think of people like Keith Monument, Peter Snook, Muriel Shelbourne, Herbert Harrison, Ron Hicklin, Joyce Wood. Among the (sometimes poor quality) photographs you will find these people and others like them, apart from where I could not locate a picture.
I would add here that I do not subscribe to the view that I can do anything I might dream of. There is a point in Phil 4:14, where the apostle Paul says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Some Christians have taken this as a blanket promise to assure believers that there is literally nothing they cannot do. The context of the passage makes it clear that Paul is referring to his own circumstances of life and suffering and that he can cope with all such difficulties.
I will never be a cross-channel swimmer or a ballet dancer, despite some photographic evidence to the contrary (see online photos, chapter 3). I will never become a member of parliament and will certainly never sing in a church music team. What I have learned, however, is this: having followed the simple principle of doing what we believe God has told us to do, Rosemary and I have achieved so much more than we ever would have dreamed possible.
We have often asked ourselves the question: “why us?” It has sometimes followed a visit to a church where we saw a person set free from fears through prayer. Often, after visiting a country where Christianity is not officially welcome and we have been blessed by experiencing a positive reception to the good news of the gospel, we have asked: “why us?”. It may have been after a conversation with a young couple in leadership who had just reminded us that we were the ones who inspired them that they too could follow God and the dreams and aspirations that HE had given them. There are special people who have encouraged and inspired us. If this book can demonstrate in a small way what God can do with and through ordinary people then I, together with Rosemary, am truly happy.
SOME OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME
