2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. (NIV)

Having begun training my young colt, Jesse, I am amazed to watch Jesse's brother Frank's behaviour toward his sibling. Frank is a cart horse. Since I desire Jesse to be a cart horse, too, so that he and his brother may eventually become a buckboard pulling team, I have begun exercising them together.

Due to Jesse's tender, young joints and tendons, however, the extent of this exercise must be carefully monitored, and this is where Frank so impresses me. As Jesse moves beside him on a lead rope, Frank is constantly following him with his eye and adjusting his speed according to Jesse's stride. If the colt seeks to race ahead of him, Frank gently but firmly cuts him off to avoid entanglement or a fall. When Jesse begins to tire, Frank slows down from a trot to a walk. Even though he is itching to have a good gallop, he reins himself in until Jesse's exercise period is finished and he is returned to the corral.

Frank is a horse, and yet, he is displaying very human-like qualities as he faithfully and consistently corrects and encourages Jesse with great patience and careful instruction while they continue to work together to become a team.

Likewise, as God's children, we who are mature in Christ are called to walk beside those who are new colts or babes in the faith. We are instructed to correct and encourage them — with great patience and careful instruction, that the body of Christ, His Church, may also work together as a team, unified by His love, pulling people together for His glory, worldwide.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the opportunity to be a blessing to those new to the faith. Grant us kind and thoughtful hearts that we might always be patient and careful instructors, team builders in and for Christ, in Whose name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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