On Rounds with Jesus

Tag: Christian living

  • Newton’s Second Law

    Newton’s Second Law

    Scripture readings: Matthew 4:18 – 22; Mark 10:17 – 22

    Last week, we explored spiritual inertia, the tendency to stay at rest or continue in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force. Many of us experience a sense of spiritual “stuckness,” feeling unable to move toward God’s purpose even when we know His will.

    Newton’s Second Law of Motion teaches that acceleration is produced by a force acting on mass. The greater the mass, the more resistance to movement. Growth is not limited by the strength of God’s call, but by the weight we carry when responding to it.

    Jesus’ invitation in the Gospels is clear and consistent: “Follow me.”  (Matthew 4:19). This call is decisive, directional, and full of authority. Yet not all respond equally. Some accelerate immediately, like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their nets at once. Others, like the rich young ruler, hesitated and walked away. Same call. Different weights. (Mark 10:17–22)

    Think of a shopping cart. An empty cart moves easily with a gentle push. Fill it with heavy groceries, and the same push produces little movement. Spiritually, the cart is our heart, the groceries are our fears, pride, and distractions, and God’s call is the push. Until we unload these weights, acceleration toward God is slow.

    Hebrews 12:1 reminds us: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Weight slows motion. Release it. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and acceleration follows. Hebrews 12:2 urges: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Direction. When we lay off the weight, and accelerate in the direction of His call, we gain true spiritual momentum.

    Reflection Questions

    1. What weight is slowing your movement toward Jesus?
    2. How would obedience look if you released that weight today?
    3. Are you keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, or are distractions pulling your direction off-course?

    Prayer

    Lord Jesus,
    You call me to follow with clarity and love.
    Forgive me for the weight I carry that slows my obedience
    Teach me to lay aside what hinders, fix my eyes fully on You, and move immediately when You speak.
    Strengthen my heart to release all that resists Your call.
    Amen.

    Closing Thoughts

    Acceleration is possible, but only when we release what slows us and move in the direction of Christ. God’s call is strong enough. The path is clear. The question is: are you willing to let go, and move?

  • Inertia

    Inertia

    Scripture reading: Luke 9:57–62

    In physics, inertia is the tendency of an object to resist change, to stay at rest or keep moving in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force. Spiritually, inertia looks like knowing what God asks of us, yet remaining unmoved. We believe, but delay. We agree, but do not act. Faith stalls when comfort becomes stronger than conviction.

    Jesus confronts spiritual inertia directly in this week’s reading. In Luke 9, several people express willingness to follow Him, but always with delay. One wants to first bury his father. Another wants to say goodbye at home. None of these requests sounds sinful per se, yet Jesus responds with striking urgency: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

    Their problem was not refusal, but hesitation. They felt the pull of comfort, tradition, and unfinished business. Like many of us, they intended to follow, but not immediately.

    Spiritual inertia often disguises itself as responsibility or timing. We tell ourselves we will obey once things settle down, once we feel ready, once life is less demanding. But Jesus calls for movement now. The kingdom advances through responsive hearts, not postponed ones.

    God’s grace is the force that breaks inertia. His Spirit empowers us to move, but obedience must meet that grace. When we respond, even imperfectly, momentum begins, and God’s power carries us forward. Like a parked car on a hill, it takes effort to start pushing it, but once it moves, even a gentle push keeps it rolling. Obedience works the same way. The first step is often the hardest. Yet that step invites God’s power to carry us forward.

    This year, your charge is to move – take that first step in faith!

    Reflection

    • Where have you grown comfortable instead of obedient?
    • What instruction from God have you delayed acting on?
    • What one small step can you take today to break spiritual inertia?

    Do not wait for perfect motivation. Act on present obedience.

    Prayer

    Lord, I confess the places where I have grown still when You called me to move. Break every spiritual inertia in my heart. Give me courage to obey promptly and faith to trust You with the outcome. Let Your Spirit be the force that moves me from intention to action. Amen.

    Closing Thought

    Faith that moves, even slowly, pleases God more than faith that only agrees. Today, choose movement. Even a step matters.

  • Changes

    Changes

    Scripture reading: Luke 15:11-32

    If there’s one constant about being human, it’s that we change. Change is what makes us alive. We are wired with an insatiable need to grow, to move, to become.

    Change begins when you recognise that where you are is not where you should remain. That realisation is your signal—it’s time to move.

    Take the prodigal son. He squandered the opportunities his father gave him. He wasted away his fortune until he had nothing left. It seemed over. That was the time to give up, to settle with the pigs. But he didn’t settle. He realised his present situation was not meant to be his permanent situation. He knew where he ought to be. And so, he made the journey back to his father. And oh, how his father embraced him for that turnaround!

    It’s your turn. What changes do you need to make in your life? What steps do you need to take? And when will you take them?

    We’ve all made a mess or two in our lifetimes—because humans are messy. But God is ever merciful. His grace is enough for you today. Tomorrow? It’s not promised. The only time you truly have is now. Make that change today.

    Reflections

    • Change starts with awareness – Like the prodigal son, I must first recognise that my current situation is not where I am meant to remain.
    • Change begins with honesty – I must be willing to face the truth about where I am falling short, whether spiritually, emotionally, or in my daily habits
    • Small steps matter – Real growth often comes not from giant leaps but from consistent, intentional steps toward improvement
    • My present is not my permanent – Just because I’m in a mess now doesn’t mean God intends for me to stay there (Jeremiah 29:11).
    • Grace makes change possible – No matter how far I’ve gone, God’s mercy welcomes me back when I turn to Him (Lamentations 3:22-23).
    • Delay is dangerous – Tomorrow isn’t promised, so I must act on what God is prompting me to do today (James 4:14).
    • Change requires steps – It’s not just about realisation; it’s about movement. Like the prodigal son, I must rise and go (Luke 15:20).

    Prayer

    Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and patience with me. I know there are many areas of my life where I need change—my thoughts, my words, my habits, my relationships, my priorities. Lord, shine Your light on the places in me that must be surrendered to You. Give me wisdom to see clearly, courage to act faithfully, and strength to walk in obedience. Help me not to postpone what You are calling me to improve today. May every change I make draw me closer to You and reflect Your goodness in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Comeback

    Comeback

    Scripture reading: Luke 15:11-32

    We all love a good comeback story. My favourite is the unforgettable 2017 Barcelona–PSG clash, known as the famous Remontada. After losing the first leg 4–0, Barcelona needed nothing short of a miracle. And a miracle they delivered — scoring three goals in the final seven minutes to win 6–1 and progress to the quarter-finals. It was the perfect reminder that it’s not over until it’s over.

    In medicine, I’ve also seen patients defy the odds, fighting back from dire prognoses and rising stronger. Those moments inspire awe.

    But no comeback story surpasses the parable of the Prodigal Son, because it is our story. A young man, broken and empty after squandering everything, “came to himself” and returned home. Instead of rejection, he was met by his father’s open arms. This is the clearest portrait of God in all of Scripture: a Father who waits for us, ready to welcome repentant hearts. How touching!

    The greatest comeback you will ever make is the one where you return to God. Recognise your mess. Take the first step home. And what a glorious homecoming it will be when you make that comeback. The entire host of Heaven will rejoice!

    Reflections

    • No defeat is final until you stop trying.
    • God’s grace gives us more than a second chance — it gives us a new beginning.
    • Our worst mess can become the stage for God’s greatest mercy.
    • Heaven celebrates every comeback story of repentance.
    • Your comeback is not just for you — it inspires others to return as well.

    Prayer

    Father of mercy, thank You for being the God of comebacks. Thank You that no matter how far I wander, Your arms remain open to receive me. Forgive me for the times I have squandered Your blessings and chosen my own way. Like the prodigal, I come back to You — broken, but hopeful in Your grace. Restore me, Lord, and let my life be a testimony of Your unfailing love. May I never forget that Heaven rejoices over every sinner who repents. Help me to extend the same mercy to others, that they too may find their way home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.