Article May 14, 2012 Issue

'Rise up and walk'

Penelope DuCharme Darling

If you’re familiar with farm life, you may know what takes place when a broodmare has given birth to its foal. It’s a wonderment to see the young foal rise up and walk almost immediately. With little hesitation, even though on shaky legs, it perseveres until it gets it right, never yielding to discouragement. To me, this is a small reminder of what Christ Jesus, our Way-shower, enjoined us to do—no matter how shaky we may sometimes feel and no matter what challenges we may have to face. 

Conscious of his magnificent example in healing and ministering to those around him, we can be lovingly and gently wakened and strengthened by the same Christ, Truth, that empowered Jesus. The Christ, God’s spiritual idea, is present with us here today, as it was then. Its presence leads us to see our duty and privilege as followers of Jesus to express confidence and perseverance. We can emulate the healing power of omnipotent Love that Jesus displayed when he commanded, “Rise up and walk” (Luke 5:23, 24). 

Jesus’ mission involved such recognition of the all-power of God’s love that he was able to give feet to the lame and sight to the blind, calm the seas, wash away the sins of others, and raise the dead. He fed and healed the multitudes, all in sublime communion with his heavenly Father. He recognized and expressed the instantaneous power of divine light and Love. There was no opacity in him. Although he was faced with temptations (see Luke 4:1–13), he never gave in to the suggestion of darkness, weakness, fear, or discouragement. 