Someone once asked Pablo Carsals, who was in his 80s and arguably the best cellist in the world at the time, “So why do you keep practicing for hours and hours every day?” He answered, “Because I think I’m making progress.”
Now there’s a grand reason for us to practice serving one another with love during Lent. Lent is a journey with Jesus. It’s an opportunity to learn from Christ’s human path to the cross, in the company of saints and sinners.
Walking with Jesus, we can get better at this “serve one another” business, can’t we?
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). These biblical words ring in my ears accusingly. But then I remember that I’m not alone in this. I’m walking with Jesus. “Watch and learn,” the Spirit says to me, kindly.
The Holy Spirit breathes in us. With practice, we are getting better at walking with Jesus. This Lent, we watch, listen and learn to serve better, with love.
This message is excerpted from “To serve with love” by Christa Von Zychlin in the March 2020 Gather magazine.
Copyright © 2025 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected]. If you enjoy this resource,
Donate Now.