At the recent Mayormaking ceremony in Rye, the new Mayor took an ancient oath. He promised to exercise his office justly, not to discriminate in the service of his people and to do all for their well being.
We all take vows at one time or another - whether at a wedding, a baptism, as a witness in a court case, as a Guide or a Scout, or as a Churchwarden.
Each vow varies in what is expected of us but the nature of a vow is that we should keep it. That's the tough bit. We start out with the best of intentions but time and circumstances test us. We are aware of the temptation to back-slide. We make excuses when we fail to live up to the original promise. Surely the best way is to acknowledge our weakness and to ask for God's help.

Sir Francis Drake wrote this prayer: 'O Lord God, when you give your servants any great matter to do, grant us to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of it, until it is completely finished, that yields the true glory'.