So, it's 'ten, ten' today: the tenth day of the tenth month. That reminded me of my old college motto at Spurgeon's : 'et teneo, et teneor' which means 'I hold and am held'. It was a phrase adopted by the great nineteenth century preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon as a guiding principle throughout his life. In these uncertain times when our faith and finances can be shaken, it is good to remind ourselves of the fact that God holds us even when we feel we are losing our grip. God's grip of grace remains constant. Of course this may seem a very pious phrase full of heavenly language but of no earthly use when the mortgage payments needs to be met. In the Bible there is another 'ten, ten' worth noting. Jesus said in John 10:10: 'I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.' Ten out of ten full. Ten times ten full. 100%. It may sound like a cliche to those who are in need. Jesus has always been about meeting the spiritual and practical needs of people. It is a paradox that through the Good Shepherd's death, Christian believers have life. And as we hold on to God, He holds onto us. Hold tight, held tight.
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