Ligaments of Love: Encouragement in the Body of Christ
She’s a feisty ball of zeal perched on top of two spindly legs.
And it’s her first year of running for a school cross-country team. My little sixth grader was so eager to join her older sister in this sport this year. Together they’ve gone to practice for a couple of weeks, but for the most part have gone their separate ways upon arrival to run with their friends.
I arrived early to collect them the other day and got to watch the final activity assigned by the coaches: a tempo run for just under a mile. In the distance, I spotted my little gal’s hot pink shorts, streaking around the course in third position. For more than half a mile, she held her own with the front-runners.
And then… she gave up and walked. Plum tuckered out, she was. The zeal had dwindled and her legs began to fail her. 
Her position in the pack slipped rapidly as her teammates rushed past her on both sides.
As I watched from afar, something beautiful happened: her sister ran up alongside. I saw my eldest offer some words of encouragement. My baby leaned forward and lifted her pace. They were both running now. Together.
They continued to run and finished the assignment at a steady clip side by side. It was enough to make a mother’s heart swoon. (Yes, I cried. Big surprise.)
Our faith walks should bear resemblance to this scenario — on both sides of the equation.
- Were you running strong for a while, but now your steps are faltering? Maybe you were even leading the pack. Don’t be discouraged by those who might go whizzing by; instead be bolstered by their zeal and lean in to run with them. You are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses and can thus run with perseverance – even if your pace is slow at first as you begin again. (Hebrews 12:1-3).
- Perhaps you’re gliding somewhat effortlessly through your run right now. Can you link arms with a comrade whose pace has dwindled? She/he might even need carrying for a while. Yes, it might adversely affect when you finish, but it will positively impact how you finish. Escort him or her to the Lord as the paralytics friends’ did for him (Luke 5:19). In this God is glorified.
We are meant to encourage, support and build one another up so that together we mature into the Body of Christ, under His headship.
From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
— Ephesians 4:16 NIV
If your faith walk is faltering, tell a friend or a pastor; ask for companionship on the road as you learn to run again. Have the courage to honestly share the ‘messy’ parts of life. Whatever you do, don’t give up: finish the race!
If you’re running strong, look for someone you might pull back into the race with compassionate support. Don’t condemn him or her for doubts or anger reflected in a slowed pace, but encourage them to lean into God and set their feet on the path again.
Oh wow, Kirsten – I’d be in a puddle of tears if I saw that! How precious, and what a great application. There’s a verse in 1 Peter (I think) about strengthening the feeble. That passage pierced my heart when researched it.
Great post!
It was an awesome moment to watch, Susan. 1 Peter does respond to this, but I think the verse you’re thinking of is Hebrews 12:12,13? Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (NIV)
Oh wow, Kirsten – I’d be in a puddle of tears if I saw that! How precious, and what a great application. There’s a verse in 1 Peter (I think) about strengthening the feeble. That passage pierced my heart when researched it.
Great post!
It was an awesome moment to watch, Susan. 1 Peter does respond to this, but I think the verse you’re thinking of is Hebrews 12:12,13? Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (NIV)
1 Thess 5:14!! ( LOL — 1 Thess, 1 Peter… I just remembered it was in back of the Bible!)
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Loads of conviction in that verse!
Perfect! Thanks for sleuthing it out for us!
What a beautiful story and a wonderful memory to hold in your heart of your girls – a valuable lesson for them too. 🙂 Thank you for this great reminder.
Bless you, Hester 😉
Thanks, Hester!
What a beautiful story and a wonderful memory to hold in your heart of your girls – a valuable lesson for them too. 🙂 Thank you for this great reminder.
Bless you, Hester 😉
Thanks, Hester!
What a beautiful story Kirsten! I see YOU as the friend who builds girlfriends up, encourages and supports (us), so it comes as no surprise that your children would do as you do. They’ve been taught well ~ by you…by God.
And a lovely compliment. Thanks, Jennifer! You do likewise, my friend.
What a beautiful story Kirsten! I see YOU as the friend who builds girlfriends up, encourages and supports (us), so it comes as no surprise that your children would do as you do. They’ve been taught well ~ by you…by God.
What a beautiful story Kirsten! I see YOU as the friend who builds girlfriends up, encourages and supports (us), so it comes as no surprise that your children would do as you do. They’ve been taught well ~ by you…by God.
And a lovely compliment. Thanks, Jennifer! You do likewise, my friend.