I’ve been a wannabe long-distance runner for the last decade or so—“wannabe” being the key word there. A few years ago, I decided to run a marathon: 26.2 miles. I loved it so much, but my knees did not. This conundrum led me to a physical therapist who watched me jog back and forth a few times in her office. She looked at me and said, “Your knees don’t point the right way.”
I looked down, and she was right! My kneecaps don’t point straight ahead. In fact, they point pretty far inward. If a laser beam were to be shot out from each of my knees, the beams would cross almost immediately, which is not ideal for long-distance running. When my gait was off, it threatened the integrity of my entire stride. It placed more strain on certain muscles, causing them to stretch in ways they were never intended to stretch. So, I bought new shoes with better orthotics, and I began the slow retraining process of running with my knees facing out.
When Paul talks in 1 Thessalonians 2 about “walk worthy of God,” he is diagnosing the church in Thessalonica. If the mechanics of their walk were off, their witness would be too. And so, like a good coach, he jumped in to show them the right way to walk. He tells them, “Like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (vv.11–12).
Paul gives the Thessalonians a template for walking worthy of God by reminding them of how he lived among them. He spoke “the gospel of God to them in spite of great opposition,” without “greedy,” self-seeking motives or “flattering,” empty words (vv.2,5). Paul did not seek his own glory, but walked with gentleness, looking after them like a nursing mother “nurtures her own children” (v.7).
Paul shared his whole life with the Thessalonians—not glimpses of his piety made to make him the hero. While with the Thessalonians, he conducted himself “devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly” (v.10). These words, in particular, strike me: “We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (v.8).
Paul describes the joy of his missionary journey to Thessalonica not only in sharing the gospel, but in sharing life with his dear friends. He talks as much about his actions, demeanor, and motivations as he does his words. And perhaps that’s the goal to walk away with. Not walking “perfectly,” but walking together. Walking in the same direction, toward Jesus, with gentleness, humility, and community. We cannot walk worthy if we are always alone, but we can walk alongside those who lovingly correct our steps, reminding us of the finish line, and sharing in our burdens—not for their own glory, but for Christ’s.
Love where Paul says we shared the Gospel and “our very selves.” That’s how I want to live in community—sharing the Gospel and all of me. Thankful for this community to sisters here!
I was reminded of a study I am working through on Proverbs ( the way of wisdom). This last week we looked at Wisdom and Virtue. We looked at 4 life characteristics of a virtuous life- diligence, humility , integrity and self control. Paul seems to touch on each of these and reminds us that we are to be a people who seek to do good to others with the Lord’s enabling. The teacher of the lesson on virtue reminded us that a virtuous life is a long haul and may not look glamorous, yet it is worth it. The main theme of the lesson was “God’s people know and do what is good”. Melanie’s analogies of walking and running in the right way, in community were a great reminder of this. Praying for each of us as we seek to walk worthy and have a life of wisdom and virtue, guided by the Lord.
❤
Melanie spoke to me today about my need to be part of a community, I’ve sometimes enjoyed being alone this year (really most of the time just with my family) because there is less tension sometimes to navigate, mostly all the opinions in my faith community. Being a usually very hospitable person I enjoy people but in my fear of failure and misstep I fear division and it makes me shrink back, but I need to walk towards Jesus and rub shoulders with those I find myself with and trust the Hoy Spirit to direct my actions and words as I encounter others and let His teachings influence and correct myself and those I find myself with. Fear of division can rule in ways that limit Christ work in my life and ultimately does lead to division because I check out and he can’t use me effectively then to bring about unity. And as we see we are not always able to bring unity between enemies of Jesus and his ways, we must then just dust off our sandals and keep walking towards Jesus.
I love this devotion and hope for correction in my journey with Jesus and I’m thankful all the sisters in this group
Long Distance runner… And Melanie had my attention. I love this! We were not meant to do life alone. We need community. We need people. We need accountability godly people willing to point us in the right direction and correcting us gently when needed. I’m so thankful for my friend G who’s always there and gently correcting me if I need and same with my celebrate recovery mentor. I picked up a slogan while training for my own marathon. I can’t believe that 10 years ago this past March I ran across the finish line of a 26.2 line! It was all God! My mantra, my life verse: Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. And I didn’t do this alone. I did it with a team that helped me through each mile. Same with life. We need people. And this reminds me that life is not a sprint. Life is a marathon. And I’m so thankful for all those walking this journey with me.God is good! It’s all God! None of it’s me.
Ummm I wonder if that’s why I can’t run long distance??? Thanks for the devotion. Hits home!!! The Bible is our guide—we must know it (in our hearts—not our mind) It’s the road map that leads us to our eternal home—heaven ❤️❤️
Tried to post once before. I apologize if both show up eventually. Haha
WALK WORTHY of GOD – so much POWER and CHALLENGE in those 4 words!
MELANIE, I love your example of the laser beam! I also love this: “we can walk alongside those who lovingly correct our steps, reminding us of the finish line, and sharing in our burdens—not for their own glory, but for Christ’s.”
Father, my desire is to walk worthy of You. May I never be a stumbling block to others but rather be a representative of Your love and grace.
TINA, I was thrilled to see your report on Ollie and his mom! PRAISE GOD!!! Continued prayers for their recovery and for little Ollie’s heart as he waits through his isolation period.