I’m sharing more wisdom today from Saul of Tarsus, the first century writer. Though this particular line may or may not have come from his quill*, the insight is clear (and challenging). In Ephesians 4:2, the author encourages the faith community in Ephesus to be people committed to ‘bearing with one another in love’.

I appreciate the use of the word ‘bearing’. Webster’s 1913 dictionary defines ‘bear’ as ‘to endure with patience’. We all know the reality of living with our fellow humans: plenty of patient endurance is required!

Written several thousand years ago, we need this reminder more than ever. There’s not a lot of patient endurance happening in many circles. Whether online, on social media, with neighbours, colleagues, friends, family, it’s easy and now common to be rash. We judge quickly. We speak (or type) with little thought. We’re in the moment, being true to our fleeting feelings but not our truer selves. There’s no patient endurance; there’s no believing the best in someone; there’s no love.

This is why we all need this ancient wisdom. Living as a community of humans is hard work. Loving, patient endurance will be required to make a success of it.

–Sam

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@samradford | samradford.com

*Though authorship of the letter to the church in Ephesus has often been associated with the Apostle Paul (also known as Saul of Tarsus) the authorship is uncertain.