Ministry and Care

Are you a jogger? If so, you have my respect and admiration. Some of us lack the intestinal fortitude to spend slabs of our lives scampering along esplanades, scuttling through parklands and scurrying along sidewalks. After attempting jogging for the first time, someone once remarked their jogging was more like a semi-controlled stagger.  Lumbering along, they waited for that surge of elation they were told they would ultimately experience, only to find the elation came when they finally stopped stumbling and sank into a chair.  

Thankfully, the Bible has a special word for people who prefer gentle strolls and occasional ambles: Walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.  (Ephesians 5:2). Notice the very first word: walk. Sometimes, life feels like a gruelling marathon – especially when it comes to loving others. Jesus understands. He helps us to love and gives us the stamina to pace ourselves, one step at a time. And should we struggle or flag or wilt, Jesus undergirds our efforts with unlimited forgiveness and fresh beginnings, helping us to keep going.