Seek good, not evil, that...
Illustration
"Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is," said the prophet Amos. On World Wide Communion Sunday, we particularly remembered the horizontal arm of the cross. Symbolically, we link arm with arm as the family of God. The arms of the cross, made real by people seeking good, stretch out to encompass the entire world. As we walk beside each other in life, we gain the capacity to be encouragers of each other.
When our children were small, they and adults from our church walked along a 10-mile stretch of highway each autumn. They were part of a walk which raises funds for hungry and suffering people. Our daughter received a significant lesson from her grandfather, who walked one of her miles for her.
Paul, a first-grader, determined that he would walk the entire 10 miles. His minister, who was also a friend, helped out with some brief, discreet shoulder-carriers and a timely foot massage.
Younger walkers were carried along by the enthusiasm that comes when living is fun. Experienced walkers knew that when innocence ends, commitment begins. Adult walkers assumed the extraordinary role of encourager. They knew how important it is to keep the conversations going, to practice the fine art of distraction. Encouragers understand what it means to walk with another person and to be present for that person.
When our children were small, they and adults from our church walked along a 10-mile stretch of highway each autumn. They were part of a walk which raises funds for hungry and suffering people. Our daughter received a significant lesson from her grandfather, who walked one of her miles for her.
Paul, a first-grader, determined that he would walk the entire 10 miles. His minister, who was also a friend, helped out with some brief, discreet shoulder-carriers and a timely foot massage.
Younger walkers were carried along by the enthusiasm that comes when living is fun. Experienced walkers knew that when innocence ends, commitment begins. Adult walkers assumed the extraordinary role of encourager. They knew how important it is to keep the conversations going, to practice the fine art of distraction. Encouragers understand what it means to walk with another person and to be present for that person.
