What does Jesus have to do with walking 60 miles over 3 days?
Jesus.
People.
Jesus and people. When we look at our life as a whole in light of this one relationship, it becomes pretty clear what is important and what is not. This doesn’t meant we don’t sometimes get caught up in the less impacting. But it helps to keep things in focus. So if people’s relationships with Jesus are what make something personal to me, how does that relate to this 3-Day Walk thing? It is what makes anything in life relate to Jesus and people. People need Jesus. I know Jesus. I get to share Jesus with people! Sounds like a ministry opportunity to me!
Jesus met physical needs of people first. We see in God’s Word many examples of Jesus meeting the physical needs of people before their spiritual needs. Many times we do not recognize our need for spiritual healing until we address physical issues. More to the point, many times we do not recognize our need for spiritual healing until we, or someone we love, are in need of physical healing.
The 3-Day ultimately draws people together for one cause. Finding a cure for breast cancer. A physical need. Most walkers and crew involved have been touch in some way by breast cancer. Many “Why I Walk” stories can be found on walkers websites and personal donation pages. This event, though amazingly encouraging and inspiring, brings together thousands of hurting people. Hurting people need Jesus. If we truly believe we are the body of Christ, His hands and feet, we cannot help but be overcome with compassion for the hurting. Given the opportunity we cannot help but run to the hurting, reminding them how much Jesus’ loves them, wrapping them in His real, healing, infinite love. Given the opportunity we cannot help but run to those hurting … who have never heard how much Jesus loves them … who have never heard of His redeeming sacrifice for them personally. What an opportunity He has given us to just “love on” people in His name!
Here are some of the physical facts (from komen.org):
ABOUT BREAST CANCER
- Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of death among women worldwide.
- More than 1.4 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.
- More than 456,000 die from the disease each year.
- Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 69 seconds.
- Incidence rates are increasing five percent annually in low-resource countries.
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure® partners with or funds programs in 50 countries to end suffering from breast cancer.
- Virtually every major advance in the fight against breast cancer in the last 28 years has been impacted by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® grant.
That last point that stuck with me …
“Virtually every major advance in the fight against breast cancer in the last 28 years has been impacted by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® grant.”
One foundation that has impacted every major advance in the fight against breast cancer in the last 28 years? That is making a difference in meeting a physical need. That is worth getting involved … to His honor alone.