On Rounds with Jesus

Tag: Faith in Action

  • 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.

  • Going the extra mile

    Going the extra mile

    Scripture reading: Matthew 5:38-42

    When a client recalls a great experience in the hospital, it usually does not entail receiving the most sophisticated treatment or procedures. Most often, it’s about that doctor who took an extra minute to listen, or that nurse who went beyond duty to reassure them. The memory is usually about the “extra mile” — the gentle, unexpected brush of kindness.

    “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:41)

    In Jesus’ time, under Roman law, soldiers could compel ordinary people to carry their burdens for one mile. This was burdensome, humiliating, and deeply resented by the Jewish people. Yet Jesus flips this around: instead of resisting or doing the bare minimum, He teaches His followers to voluntarily exceed expectations — to surprise even the oppressor with generosity.

    Reflections

    • Radical Love in Action – True love doesn’t only do what is required; it goes beyond duty into grace.
    • Breaking the Cycle of Resentment – Rather than retaliating, Jesus calls us to disarm hostility with kindness.
    • Living Differently – As children of God, we are called to stand out from the world in humility and service.
    • Inner Freedom – By choosing to go further willingly, we master our response instead of remaining victims of compulsion.

    Application Today

    • At Work – Don’t just do the minimum your boss expects—add value willingly.
    • In Relationships – Extend forgiveness, patience, and kindness even when others may not “deserve” it.
    • In Service – Help people beyond what they ask, showing Christ’s love in practical ways.

    Let’s pray

    Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus, who showed us what it means to love beyond duty and serve with joy. Too often, we stop at the bare minimum, giving only what is required. Lord, teach us to walk the second mile — in our work, in our homes, and in every relationship.

    Help us to turn burdens into opportunities, insults into kindness, and demands into chances to reveal Your grace. Fill our hearts with the freedom that comes from choosing love over resentment.

    May every “extra step” we take reflect Your generous love and draw others closer to You. Strengthen us to live differently, to shine Your light in a world that desperately needs it.

    In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.