For Such A Time as This – October 22, 2020 – Dennis Lohr

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To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
 
Joys and Concerns
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text, or email it to me.  If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with me that week by Friday morning. 
 
Thank You:
To all who call others to check in on them and to share our emails and devotions.
 
Today’s Devotion:
I have written today’s devotion.  I hope it is intriguing and encouraging.
 
Shalom,
Dennis
 
Scriptures
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
 
Hebrews 12:1c
… and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…
 
Thoughts
What is the difference between walking and running?  The scriptures use both images to describe our journey with or response to God.  But what is the difference, other than speed?  Of course, walking is slower, and running is faster.  Is there another significant difference?
 
What about this?  When we walk we constantly have at least one foot on the ground.  Before we lift one foot the other one is down.  But when we run, there is a moment, if but for a split second, when we are not touching the ground.  We leap into the air, letting go of physical contact with the ground, from which we gain our sense of balance, trusting that we will be okay until the other foot touches the ground, and our sense of balance is returned.  And then, just as quickly and trustingly, we do it again and again and again– one running leap after the next.
 
Sometimes faith is about walking and sometimes it is about taking leaps.  Each requires a kind of trust.  Think about times when you have walked by faith and times when you have taken running leaps.

Here’s a scripture text that puts them both together, and even includes a reference to flying:
 
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31
 
Prayer
Whether we walk by faith or run in faith, teach us, O Lord, to trust in your love for us.  Amen.
 

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