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pastoral publishing in the 21st century

Three Mile an Hour God

6/19/2018

4 Comments

 
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Although he also traveled by water, walking was the primary mode of transportation for Jesus of Nazareth.  As a child, we know Jesus journeyed with his parents to Egypt.  Outside of that,  most of his life took place in a small territory in Palestine.  His public ministry spanned a region no further than 100 miles. 

I love these four words from John 9:1:  "As he passed by . . ."   A great many events in the gospels happened, “as he passed by,” along the way.  On the road.  In the marketplace.  Out in the countryside.  By the city gate.  On the shoreline, by the water.  In a home, at the dinner table.  Very little of Jesus' ministry took place "at church," in the temple.  Jesus’ ministry happened while he walked, “as he passed by.”  

Speed is an ultimate asset in our culture.  We have a lust for expediency.  Orders from Amazon come faster.  We eat fast food.  Microchips in computers and phones get exponentially faster.  (See Moore's Law.)    We want to make money faster, retire faster, finish a degree faster, get projects done faster.  Life is done in a rush.  We get to the end of a day and it’s a blur.  We think, “I did a lot today, but what did I do?” 
John 9:1 says, “As he passed by, Jesus saw a man blind from birth.”  What if he was driving, running, or in a hurry?  Instead, Jesus moved with a pace at which he could "see."  He saw the man.  He saw his need and he had compassion.  

A Japanese theologian named Kosuke Koyama wrote a book called 
Three Mile an Hour God.  In it he wrote:
“Love has its speed.  It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed.  It goes on in the depth of life at 3 miles per hour.  It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.”  
Jesus walks at the speed of love.  He’s our 3 mile-an-hour Savior.  And he sees you.    He sees your secrets and baggage, your pain and fear.  He sees death and dung, and still chooses to walk among us.  To forgive, to heal, to help.

Would you adjust your pace?  Would you slow down so that you can "see"?    See God’s work in the world.  See how you might join in on what He's doing.  See the people around you.  Know their needs.  How can we be unhurried, undistracted, and attentive to the world around us?  ​​
 
Go for a walk. 
Sit on your front step in the evening. 
Redefine how you use electronic devices. 
Remove a few unnecessary items from your crowded calendar. 
Set aside a few quiet moments every day to read God’s word.  To commune with him in prayer. 

“As he passed by . . ."  Jesus sees you.  He’s your 3 mile-an-hour Savior.  

4 Comments
Nancy Stallard
6/19/2018 10:40:37 am

That was great, we all need to slow down and really "see people"... I love the "3 mile-an-hour Savior" :-) I start my day every AM by asking ( as I get out of bed) "So what are WE going to do today God?" Inviting Him into my day, to direct it, welcoming any "changes of plans" that could become a ministry opportunity :-) that I would, on my own, overlook.

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William C.Heller Jr.
6/21/2018 05:32:24 pm

This is my brief true story of a time in my life when I took a walk for Jesus.This journey began at highway 55 and Butler Hill road. I began walking up the ramp and praying to God this prayer. God you know I cannot walk to where ever you wish me to go. Would you please send me a ride and the person you desire me to talk to. Half way up the ramp a young man of college age stopped and offered me a ride.He then began to tell me all about his life and the church he attended which is the First Baptist church Of Festus.
The next thing he told me is how he was worried about his final exams in college. I told him how I once had to take my exams for my GED and asked God to help me take the test and that help came in the sense of calmness.The next thing I said to this young man was, You go to church, Have you asked God for any help in your life? He looked at me as if he new what to do next. By this time he was pulling off the side of the road right in front of the First Baptist Church which sits on the side of the highway.As I got out of his car he thanked me for my help.there was now a calm about him as well.
I sat on the guard rail for no more than fifteen minutes and began to walk as I prayed once more the same prayer as before. Right away I heard air brakes on a truck behind me and looked back as this man was only a few feet away and motioned for me to get into his truck. I am John Murdock a dairy driver from Madison, Wisconsin. I said my name is William Heller and I am walking for Jesus.He then told me about a young lady he had met on the road the week before doing the same thing.John would ask me about all things he had questions about the Bible. As he made his deliveries for the day and the day ended he invited me to stay with him and he bought me dinner and breakfast. I spent three days with John and he left me off on Highway 75 leading down to Atlanta. His last words were, I going to go home and read my Bible this weekend. This is only a small part of my walk for Jesus.If you like to hear more let your fingers do the walking and write me.

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Edward Loduca
8/18/2018 07:55:27 am

Hello William,

I'm thankful you shaed this story. Could you please tell me more about it? What inspired this choice? Did you have any guidelines for it before you started this journey?

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John Veldhuizen link
4/1/2023 10:24:33 am

Great story, I hope that all people who believe that Jesus' resurrection have similar stories to tell, of sharing and or encouraging others in their faith journey. We all need to sensitive to the spirits leading and not shy away from acting on the Holy Spirit's leading. I shared with someone this past week that little else matters unless we believe that Jesus did in fact Rise from the dead on the third day. Have a wonderful Holy Week everyone.

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  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern