One of my dear friends used to always quote her mother when things got tough. “Push and Go On,” she would say. Over time, I started saying it, too.
Some days, life is just hard. Our congregations are facing challenges that could serve to separate us from each other and God. Instead, though our numbers are smaller, we seem to be drawing closer to each other and are more solid in our foundation of love. Our purpose is clear.
It’s hard for me to imagine the disciples witnessing what the world did to the Messiah…to their friend. I consider what “push and go on” meant for their lives as Jesus tells them to continue after He is gone.
Continue without Him? Do what He did after what happened to Him? Love people who would allow it to happen? Push and go on?
In those moments of trying to wrap my heart and mind around their choices, I understand life has never been easy for most people or churches. If it was, were we really following the commandment to love our neighbors, or were we going along to be comfortable and have nice places of fellowship?
Difficulties and challenges serve to strengthen and clarify our faith. Learning to push through the pain and love in spite of the messes of this life is often how we grow closest to Christ.
Today, no matter what you are facing personally or within your congregation, know that you are loved by the Creator. He knows your name, and there is purpose in every moment.
“Push and go on” as you draw closer and closer to each other and to the meaning of love as defined by our Father. Push until the pull of the Holy Spirit changes the mindset to “Hang on! Let’s go!” Can you feel it? Hang on! Let’s go!
“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
John 15:15-17
Kim Rice Smith
NCCUMC Sound District
Lay Leader
