November 2023 - LPNI

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November 2023

How are you going?

One of the most common questions people ask each other is, “How are you going?” Sometimes people ask this question, but they don’t really want to hear the answer. Have you ever received an “on-the-run” greeting? It may be a curt “How’re you going?”, and before you can reply they’re gone!

The answer we get to our “How are you …?” questions may depend on how we ask them. A flippant “How’s it going’, mate?” is very different from a caring “How are you really going?” The latter question invites a response about what’s going on inside a person with their emotions, and the inner depths of their soul. To ask the question in this way, we need to be willing to spend time listening to what is said … or unsaid. Words are important, but what is unsaid is even more important.

The question, “How are you going?” implies that we’re going somewhere. Figuratively speaking, we’re all on the journey of life. But ‘going’ is a verb that implies we must be doing something. In our performance-based society, there is an expectation that we’re always ‘on the go’. But what happens if we run out of ‘go’?

There are times when our ‘going’ may slow down, particularly when sickness strikes. Sometimes we might feel that we’re not ‘going’ at all! When we encounter difficult times, or feel paralyzed by depression or pain, we may feel we’re not “going” anywhere!

If we really want to know how a person is, it’s better to focus on their “being” rather than their “doing”. After all, God made us “human beings”, not “human doings”! A good wish and prayer for people is, “May you be well!” It may sound like a contradiction, but it is actually possible for a person to be well, by the grace of God, even when they’re sick! The strength God gives us through his Son who died and rose again for us is “wellness” for our soul, even in the midst of sickness and struggles.

God’s being with us sustains our “being well” in spite of trials we may face. Wellness in our being is strengthened through our being with God. God cares for us, body and soul.

May he strengthen you in body and soul, so you may be well, healthy and whole at all times, especially during testing times that come to all of us!

My wish for you is the prayer St John prays, all may go well with you, and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. (3 John 2, New English Translation)

Pastor Chris Gallasch, Chaplain

Lutheran Homes, Hope Valley, South Australia