Back in 1910, Theodore Roosevelt, the then President of the USA, gave a speech in Paris. In it he said these inspirational words ...

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

As we come to the end of another year I want to remind you that the Christian life is a call to action, to deeds, to contribution, to a life of serving. We called to engage in a spiritual battle against the power of darkness. We are soldiers of the light.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, leads the way. Jesus stepped out of the comforts of heaven and into the arena of this broken world. His face was marred by dust and sweat and blood ... for a worthy cause ... and he did this voluntarily.

History is full of men and women who, like Jesus Christ, stepped out of their comfort zone and into the arena ... those who served the purposes of God faithfully in their generation.

Hebrews 11 honours a hall of fame of men and women who stepped into the arena and who served faithfully. Some had stories of great triumph, while others lived lives that seemed to end in defeat, but one thing they had in common, they all lived and died in faith These heroes of the faith now surround us like a cloud of witnesses and they cheer us on in our race (Heb.12:1-4).

Those who choose to be only spectators in this life accomplish nothing. They tend to become fat and comfortable. They also tend to become professional critics. They experience no pain – so they have no gain.

Those who choose to be contributors are the ones who bring about positive change. After all knowledge does not change the world, action does. They also know the pain, the stress, and the challenges of life in the arena, as well as the joys and the triumphs. They are the ones who receive the reward and the ultimate commendation – “Well done, good and faithful servant ...”

May each one of us follow the example of Jesus by stepping into the arena – by voluntarily serving others on his behalf ... wherever we may be.

Sometimes you might ask yourself, “Is it really worth it – all the time, energy and effort I give?” I’m here to tell you it really is. I’m here to say “Well done” and “Thank you” on behalf of those you serve. The next time you serve, remember the difference you make. What we do in time echoes in eternity. Let’s keep stepping into the arena together.