We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Joe Mummert.
Bible Reading:
Hebrews 13:7-9
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
Word:
Being in the construction field most of my life, I have seen some pretty physically strong people along the way. From workers who could pick up a water heater by themselves and sling it wherever needed, to the ones you always called on when you needed an extra bit of “umph.” When I was younger, I used to think it was impressive to show off how much I could carry in one trip or how much I could lift on my own, then it hit me- back pain that is! One saying I remember hearing around the job one day was “I’ve got plenty of guys with a strong mind and a weak back, I need some with a weak mind and a strong back!” Typically, this meant the young, healthy, strong guys that could carry the heavy stuff!
As I grew in my career, I realized I really was not impressing anyone by carrying the heavy stuff, it was actually, probably ignorant looking to the older, wiser crowd. Sometimes, being strong is NOT carrying all of the weight. Sometimes, being the strongest is learning from past mistakes and knowing when to make the extra trip (except carrying in groceries, always carry as many as humanly possible! The author of Hebrews reminds us to “remember your leaders…consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Sometimes we must learn from our own experiences, but it is usually easier if we can learn from others. The ones that are older and wiser than us got there through trials and tribulations. It’s not that they haven’t struggled…it’s that they’ve learned to overcome them in so many ways. Find someone with a strong mind and a weak back…and learn!
Prayer:
Lord…give me the STRENGTH where it matters the most. Show me the areas where it’s ok to be weak and help me to realize that you’ve put other people in my life to teach me to be strong! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Skillwork:
Find those weaknesses and evaluate! Where are you struggling to carry something and you KNOW it’s smarter to put it down? Find a trusted friend and dig deep! Work smart, not hard!
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