Proverbs 14:4 KJV  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

I heard a discussion on the radio yesterday about how professional athletes make it look so easy, as if they just came by these skills, while, in actuality there was an incredible amount of work that brought them to that level of excellence. They may have been born with a natural talent, but it was the maintenance of that talent that refined their performance. For every one of them there was a personal dream of what it would mean to be the best in their sport, and to obtain that goal, they were motivated to do whatever it took. Rising early in the morning for hours of practice and working out, studying the techniques of the champions, and humbling themselves to listen and do what their coaches and instructors directed them to do, they knew that, while all of this might be a challenge to their flesh, the reward was significant enough to endure it all. In fact, they came to feed off of and enjoy the maintenance as it began to produce evidence that they were moving towards their goals. Once there was significant value associated with the process, the flesh could no longer dominate when it was decided whether or not they would take care of their gift. The promise of reward was so great that there could be no consideration of anything other than diligently and on purpose giving themselves to enduring any challenge of the flesh.

For the athlete there is a specific set of challenging maintenance chores that will make success possible. For the farmer those chores are of a different nature, but there is a similar understanding that in order to gain the strength of the oxen in producing a valuable crop, some maintenance is required for its health and strength. For anything in life that is achieved on a level that brings value and reward there is a certain amount of maintenance required, some chores that will have to be done. Otherwise the body, mind, and spirit will never gain their necessary strength and that thing that could have been done so easily will remain not only very difficult, but impossible.

Mark 9:29 KJV  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus made it look easy, almost as if no effort was necessary at all. There was a reason for the ease of His performance, though, and it had everything to do with how highly He valued the strength and power produced only by the care given to prayer and fasting. You would think all His other qualifications would have been sufficient and His answer to the question of His disciples could have been, “You couldn’t cast out the demon, because you’re not me. After all, I’m the Messiah and I get all this power because of who I am.” The reply He did give, though, produced within His disciples a vision of making a difference in the kingdom and bringing deliverance and freedom to those in need. This was something they could very well do. This was something within their ability to pursue diligently and with purpose.

Each of us is specifically gifted to excel and be strong in various ways. For each of these ways there will be a certain path of maintenance that will make it possible to perform them. In pursuing the kingdom and the will of God, there are also challenges in the flesh that will have to be addressed. There will be no strength available for producing the crop (of salvation) or championship performance (of healing) apart from consistent care given to prayer and fasting. There will be a need for healing, direction, and deliverance both personally and in the life of someone we may touch. With focus on the valued vision of deliverance, the chores will be done diligently and God’s desire to embrace and impart in and through us will be accomplished.

1 John 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (ASV)

The enemy has a real problem. We are incapable of defeat, we are more-than-overcomers and we are carriers of the very glory of God. So, what’s he going to do in order to get to us and disable our power? Well, one of his favorite strategies is called, “divide and conquer”, where he comes at his impossible task one segment at a time. If he can just separate us from each other and from the source of our strength, the reality of our invincibility will be completely undermined and he will walk away with spoils that should never have been accessible.

This strategy is one that was used by Hitler so successfully in World War 2 as he separated individual countries from their allies, leaving them vulnerable to his blitzkrieg, where he would invade lightning fast before they had an opportunity to unite against him. Then, when an opposing country did present a resistance, he would use their own captured and wounded soldiers as a diversion from their ability to effectively resist him. (“Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer : Frank Capra : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive,” n.d.) As they were occupied with the ‘important’ duties of doing what seemed necessary to them, they were separated from their greater purpose of resisting their enemy. They became scattered and very defeat able.

This strategy is also one that is used in problem solving. By focusing on individual parts of the problem, it is reduced to many disjointed and easily dealt with entities that become completely trivial and insignificant on their own. They don’t really even have to be acknowledged once they are separated, because they are no longer able to resist or advance in the least. (“divide and conquer,” n.d.) The whole elephant becomes eaten as one bite at a time is cut away from the whole.

So, our only really hope is quite opposite of what we tend to do, separate from each other over the most trivial things. He’ll even make it look like something really significant, you know, like caring for the captured and the wounded. As soon as he can get us to say to our Lord and those He’s called us into fellowship with, “Just go on ahead while I take care of this more important matter”, we’ve been cut into a very eatable segment, and we’ve weakened the rest of the body in the process. It’s interesting that Jesus challenged some of the most seemingly justifiable causes like that of family. He said that being with Him and His cause would have to come before even their father and mother and son and daughter. (Matthew 10:37)

It’s interesting that the defining evidence of truly walking in fellowship with our Father as indicated in 1 John 1:5 isn’t our personal relationship with Him that causes us to glow on our own. Our walk with Him always takes us directly to each other where we are provided with strength against the enemy’s ‘sin-attacks’. As soon as we feel that what we have individually is more important than whatever is going on at the Master’s side in the fold with all the others, we’ve become the sheep that has to be sought after for going astray. Our Shepherd will leave the 99 to go after us, but it’s interesting that He has confidence in leaving the many that are together to go searching for the one. They will be so much stronger than the one separated and on his own. The pride that divides is the means by which the unstoppable force of God’s love is cut into trivial and insignificant segments that don’t really even have to be addressed by the enemy any more. They’ll be consumed on their own.

But, if we are truly walking in the light of His presence, our hearts can’t help but be drawn to the gathering around His. We are made to be a body, where all those other dividing elements in life are given up to follow the Lord in His quest for unity and invincibility. United we stand. Divided we fall. (both personally and corporately)

Matt 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (KJV)

References

divide and conquer. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 19, 2010, from http://www.itl.nist.gov/div897/sqg/dads  /HTML/divideAndConquer.html

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer : Frank Capra : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). . Retrieved August 19, 2010, from http://www.archive.org/details/DivideAndConquer

1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (ASV)

So there may need to be (have to be?) a little pain if there’s gonna be any gain.

You know, it would be so nice to look like the guy on the poster or in the magazine who has proudly removed his shirt to display a flat stomach and rippling muscles. But, as nice that would be there is a great battle that ensues when considering whether or not to leave the couch and the banana split for the long  (not really) drive to the gym and the arduous pain inflicting actions that take place there. Repose is sort of nice, too, you know, and while you don’t get the nice flat belly, you do get the nice feeling in the belly, the pain of which is a whole lot more comforting than the ongoing aching the crunches exact. Honest consideration of the long-term effects, however, brings things into better perspective when it is understood the health and emotional benefits that exercise brings, once its pain has been endured. All those tasty treats and long naps, while completely avoiding any challenge to the flesh, will in the end destroy it.

So, while images of running away from the gym to the pastry shop seem way more inviting, there is a significantly more substantial benefit and confidence that will come from the choice to steer towards the conflict rather than away from it. And, once it is understood how beneficial this navigation truly is, a certain joy and excitement will begin to accompany even the turns that take you there. When won, this battle on the field of the mind will result in a victory in the body and in life itself. This understanding will be the armament that defeats and silences the flesh-dominated demands of the way that leads to death.

So often it is just much easier to give in to sin, to say that juicy comment, to partake of a substance, be entertained by perversity, walk away with something, or, you know, just curl up on the couch with the remote and the ice cream as it were. There is a poster, though, of someone who has spent way more time in the gym than the dining room. The more you look at Him, understanding how He defied His flesh and challenged it to become the victor that He is, the more you want to face your challenges the way He did and follow the path He has taken. Far away from the demands of the flesh and its impending failures in the mind, the body, and life, there is a place where the flesh is put under and strength is found. Even the pain from the exercise of it can be reason for joy and encouragement when it is known that the very pain that may restrict movement today is making it possible to have increased strength and effectiveness tomorrow. Pain is actually inevitable with either choice- it is the outcome that will drive the right choice. When the flesh rules it will bring ultimate death, while crucifying the flesh now and becoming identified with Christ puts to death the old man, but allows the risen life of Christ to be experienced in unity with Him.

1 Peter 4:15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (ASV)

1 Peter 2:7 …but it is said for those without faith, The very stone which the builders put on one side, was made the chief stone of the building; 8 And, A stone of falling, a rock of trouble; the word is the cause of their fall, because they go against it, and this was the purpose of God. 9 But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven. (BBE)

Referring to the Spanish church from yesterday’s posting, the church that has been under construction since 1882, every single stone has a specific purpose, and any one left out will compromise the integrity of the completed work. I mentioned that there were still many stones yet set aside on the ground waiting to be placed in their designed spot. It would seem that they are really not all that special until they are functioning in the purpose for which they were designed as part of an incredibly amazing architectural and artistic structure.

While each stone is indeed important and essential, if long ago, at the time the first stones were being placed, a certain stone, the cornerstone, was somehow not appreciated and just set aside, all the rest of the stones may get placed, but the structure’s foundation would always be compromised. It could have been that everything else looked beautiful, with every room, every spiral, and the completed roof in place, but no matter how impressive in appearance and visually representative of a church, it would not have been able to stand. Without that essential foundational element, however, the construction would most likely have not come even close to completion, as very little stability is possible without an even and established foundation.

It would seem that there are many structures that are attempting to look like the temple of the Holy Spirit, but have somehow become less than appreciative of the Word of God, setting to the side the very part that makes it possible. Rather than allowing what might not seem right in their initial view to be securely placed and begin to change how everything else is seen, they attempt to leave what the architect had to say completely out of their building’s construction. Like the dad attempting to put the toy together without the instructions, everything will at some point have to be taken apart to include that most important part that didn’t look like anything at first. Attempting to look the part is not enough and just being passionately impressed by the Designer will be of little worth if what He has said is ignored.

I’m sure this has always been an issue for some who have wanted to have salvation and live in the promises but have disallowed the significance of the Word’s placement in the foundation of their lifestyle. In our present day, though, there seems to be a great many who let the very answer to their life become an offense and reason for dissension and separation. Wanting to just take the love, forgiveness, understanding and goodness of God, they set aside what He has said about purity and holiness with regard to their choice of consumption, entertainment, social, and sexual practices. It may be possible to set up a façade and conduct some services, but wherever the cornerstone has been set aside, there can be no hope of a long standing structure. Just attempting to use a chip off the block will also never provide the integrity that only comes with the whole Word, where everything else gets placed around it and on top of it rather than somewhere else.

There is a securing of structures today that will require the whole stone in foundations. Rather than getting put off by its form and trying to chip it off to look like we might want it to look like, there will be such freedom, beauty, functionality, and stability when it is embraced in its entirety and made to be the honored and preserved center of every other portion of our structure. Great relief, confidence and peace will be found in allowing the Word to be what only He can be, and just rising up strong and secure upon Him.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Psalms 30:6-9 (ASV) As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved. 7 Thou, Jehovah, of thy favor hadst made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide thy face; I was troubled. 8 I cried to thee, O Jehovah; And unto Jehovah I made supplication: 9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

There is only one strength that is immoveable through all the quakes and shakes of life, and it has nothing to do with muscle mass or bank account volume. This is a strength formed by exercise, but not by the exercise of body movements or investment principles. This strength is only maintained in the exercise of praise, the expression of a heart humbled and overwhelmingly impressed, not by the magnitude of the mountain, but by the One who made the mountain.

Hunter and I have been watching the NBA finals lately, and actually went up to the Buffalo Wings place last night to watch a couple of them at the same time. There is such a great demonstration of incredible physical ability in all of the teams that have made it so far. Massive giants are clearly shown in close range as the cameras make their size and superbly developed bodies fill the screen. Tattoo bodies with bulging muscles display athleticism that is nothing less than amazing.

As great as the physical demonstration going on in these highly competitive games, there is another force being shown throughout all of them. While the mountain-like bodies of the participants may appear unstoppable and unshakable, the display of wealth also rises up to claim dominance, both in the players, but also in those who are just using the physical talents for their own mountain-of-wealth building. Stadiums are filled with roaring fans that have paid exorbitant ticket prices, while every visual moment includes exposure to advertising, the cost of which is lining the pockets of owners and promoters. For them it would appear that their strength will just continue unabated as the aging of one group of athletes just makes way for the next aspiring group drawn by the allure of glory and wealth.

As impressive as these mountains of talent and wealth are, there is a truth that seems to be tragically illusive for many of them- that any amassing of size and influence is actually made possible by yet another force. For each of these earthly mountains there is an impending shaking that will upend and topple it, but for the Designer of it all, their passing will have no effect whatsoever. His glory will just remain and progress in its expansion as creation continues to proclaim His praise without interruption. The greatest moment in fulfilling a gift potential is not in claiming its glory for the mountain that it is, but in praising the One who made it and provided the ability to prosper with it. Mountains are so impressive in their beauty and apparent permanence, but to ascend and become them is quite the precarious undertaking. If dependence is placed upon them alone, their crumbling will be their end. If, on the other hand, their every moment of existence is given to the praise of their Maker, this glory will know no end, as it will remain unshaken in Him. Better to glory in the Mountain Maker than in the mountain He has made.

Romans 11:36 (KJV) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Judges 16:15-17 KJV  And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.  (16)  And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;  (17)  That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

There may be a period of time when it seems like- no harm done, just enjoying life a little. However, there is a much greater agenda than just hanging out on the part of the adversary. He’s out for the heart and won’t give up nagging and persuading until the enticements and luring end up with the source of strength cut off and the heart taken captive by hands intent on destroying it. For every moment intentionally given to enjoying the company of the adversary there is an ever widening opening made in the heart through which the opposition can move in to displace the God who is very selfish about His abode.

For Samson it must have seemed that there was a considerable reserve of spiritual capital available for spending on life independence and flesh indulgence. After all, he had been brought up in the strictest of environments, protected completely from the slightest touch of anything unclean. Because of this dedication to God, his gift of physical invincibility had developed to the point that he was most confident in his ability to defeat any attempt of his foe- so much so that he could continue to spend whole nights in the very dwelling of those who wanted no more than to destroy him. Totally against what he knew to be right and in complete rebellion against the wishes of his parents, he kept returning to spend time using up his reserves in the den of his adversary. He couldn’t seem to resist the sweetness of sin’s offerings and apparently the subsequent demonstration of his strength and insurmountable ability to maintain his freedom. Possibly because of the anointing that was always there even after much time spent with an open heart to the enemy, Samson became increasingly vulnerable to the removal of that anointing and the inevitable subsequent bondage.

In the life of Samson, resistance to constraints of moral discipline (no one was going to tell him how to live his life), independence from the fellowship of the righteous, and willingness to use up his spiritual capital by spending time being gratified by the enemy’s enticements all obviously lead to his tragic end. While this may be an extreme case and a bit difficult to relate to, there is yet a direct correlation in it for all who have received the gift of life in Christ. The strength in this life is totally dependent upon obedience to a way of life that is much different than that of the world. It is possible to reach a point of self-confidence through compliance in one known area that breeds a sense of independence from the need for compliance in other areas. Time is willingly given to just hanging out in the realm of the adversary to taste of the thrills that can only be found there in his camp. In ways that may seem to be harmless and insignificant, however, an ever widening opening is developed in the heart through which destructive forces can come to cut off even that last area of obedience and render the once faithful anointing powerless.

It’s not so much that God wants to disallow pleasure. In fact, at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. But, for every moment given to pleasure in the realm of the enemy, there is a reception of heart threats that will eventually lead to its grief, its brokenness and eventually its destruction. There is no amount of spiritual ascendency or independence that will defend against an enemy to which a heart is continually opened. Spiritual capital will not last against the persistence of the heart destroyers.

There is fullness of joy for today that has no threat, but rather the promise of strength and stability. This joy, though, is only accessible in the presence of the Lord, and this presence is compromised when the entertainment, conversations, and indulgences of the enemy are sought out for gratification. Capital need not be spent but rather built up by a continual awareness of and fulfillment in the presence of the Lord. His goodness will never fail, disappoint, or bring any harm in the least.

John 7:38 KJV   He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Inspired by a New Year’s resolution, a gym promotion, or just wanting to get in shape, an exercise regimen is frequently adopted with anticipation for promising results. Often there is a desire to lose here, gain there, and somehow transform the body’s look to something more closely resembling one of those guys or gals on the posters. Quite often there is a temptation to just focus on the lifts that will accentuate certain body parts without consideration for the body as a whole. For there to be optimal results with health to all of the body, however, there is a need to include a steady focus on the core muscles, the stomach, lower and upper back and pelvic muscles. It is possible to have large chest, arm and leg muscles but still be at high risk for injury and have bad posture and poor balance if the core muscles aren’t adequately developed.

There can likewise be a strong motivation to develop in a strong relationship with God, often with great inspiration from very gifted ministers who have effectively developed in their faith and in their ability to display their spiritual muscles. It may be very tempting to delve into one particular area of doctrine or spiritual focus with great anticipation for rewarding results, but there is one area that should receive consistent attention if there is to be resistance to injury, a healthy posture and proper balance. There is a core that stems around our belly from which Jesus said will ‘flow rivers of living water’, and there is a necessity for this area to be exercised and strengthened on a daily basis. As the infilling of the Spirit is utilized through speaking with other tongues in a personal time of prayer and fellowship with the Father, there is a building up of those core muscles and an empowering that will affect the rest of the body as a whole. From these times of dedicated exercise of what has been freely given to us by the Holy Spirit will come revelation, understanding and wisdom as the Spirit is given an opportunity to influence and direct the mind and body also. As prayers are lifted up from a heart that has been strengthened in faith by exposure to the Word, there will also be a qualifying and enabling application of the Spirit’s power.

An incredibly effective exercise is available to us today through the enabling power of the Spirit. Our core can be strengthened, protected and balanced and enabled for healthy productivity in the kingdom.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:20 (KJV) 20

It’s a bit of a wonder to me why someone would spend an extreme amount of money for a vehicle made to perform at speeds that are way above the legal limit. What good would there be in knowing what it is capable of while you’re just cruising down the road at the posted rate of speed, never really utilizing the car’s incredible power and performance? Though it might look most impressive in power and beauty, until the full range of speed is experienced and the handling is put to the test, it might as well be a low end gutless car that’s just getting you from one place to the next. For its potential to be something more than an imagination or a warm fuzzy source of pride, that machine will need to be taken where there are no restrictions, where it can be driven to its limits and beyond. Until then it is just a waste of technology, craftsmanship and money.

An incredible price has been paid for the Lamborghini (Maserati, Corvette, Lexus, whatever your dream car) that’s parked in our hearts. While it will get us down to the grocery store and across town to the mall, there is power in this gift that far exceeds our greatest imagination. In order really experience this power, though, we’re going to have to get beyond the restrictions, legalism, self-consciousness, and religion that would keep us functioning on the level of a puddle jumper. Once we get out there to the free and open road, there will also be a need for some bravery, a willingness to open it up and discover just how thrilling the ride can be when the power is applied to its full potential.

While our God is able and more than willing to do ‘exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think’, He’s not going to take off without us. The power that’s rumbling on the inside even now is just waiting for our foot on the accelerator. Actually, it will be the Word we are willing and obedient to boldly speak that will get us out of the garage and the side streets and out onto the open Autobahn. May this day be a day of daring departure from the ho-hum to the high performance demonstration of the Holy Spirit as He is designed and purposed to perform. No longer held back by our thoughts or hesitant prayers, He will do incredible things in and through us as He moves with beautiful heavenly precision.

Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV
(5) … he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
(6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
(8) And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

This was a completely new concept for her, the thought that someone would actually be there for her even after discovering something in her that was sure to be unacceptable. Not that this wasn’t something she had hoped for all her life, it’s just that time after time, after committing herself in relationships, she had found herself alone, abandoned once again for some undisclosed reason. It would have even been a little more bearable if they would have at least given a reason, something for her to work on in the future, but it was like she hadn’t earned even enough honor from them to get their perceptions of her needed improvements before their departure. She had just been left, time after time, alone and without explanation. How wonderful it would have been to have someone actually stay through her inconsistencies, finding something in her for which to stick around. To wonder then whether God Himself could put up with whatever had driven the others away was certainly natural and would require considerable adjustment. This promise would be her heart’s greatest comfort and her soul’s delight and inspired hope, if only she could learn to embrace it instead of the old dismay and discouragement. He would never take off and leave her even when she herself might feel unacceptable. Because of this she could have great confidence and boldness to press beyond the fear of rejection that had held her back for so long. Though anyone might leave her for whatever reason and at any time, the very God of creation would remain close by her side, ever lifting her up and supporting her through the rest of her life.

Though maybe not to this extreme, there will ever be a need for adjustment and growth in this awareness- that our God goes before us and will never forsake us even in our failures, from the greatest to the smallest. If there is ever a sense of abandonment, this is just a misperception based upon what we’ve experienced in other relationships. God is ever present to encourage and strengthen the one who will but acknowledge His presence. His promise to be near isn’t just a frivolous gesture with no intention of fulfillment. Though this may have been our experience with those we’ve contacted in this world, there is a completely new experience with God that will nurture the confidence and boldness to be victorious in every situation. He is an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1) and this presence doesn’t require a completed list of endless contingencies. His love and mercy will cover a multitude of sins and He faithfully stands with open arms – an embrace that will lift and propel us beyond the greatest of difficulties. So what will it matter what anyone might ever say about us, or even fail to say at all on their one way trip out the door, God Himself is right here right now with friendship, counsel, wisdom, understanding, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and motivation that is always ours for the taking in His presence. All He’s needing is an open door Himself to a heart that’s continually saying, ‘yes’.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
(28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Some things are much easier when- you’ve done them before, you’re more mature and strong, you know the tricks and work-arounds, and you can see the bigger picture- right? I know that whenever I’m around my Dad there is this natural tendency to just let him take over and do whatever I’m up to, from playing the guitar, fixing the sink, or measuring a roof. From childhood to the present he has this way of making things appear easy and doable after I may have been attempting them for some time. We actually did that last one recently when Mom and he were visiting and he characteristically wanted to go along with me for my day of work. We came upon this house that was really next to impossible to figure out. Normally I would try to get up on top and actually run a tape along all things measurable, but this one was very high, very steep, and all access points had some restriction that made climbing up on top of it too difficult for me anyway. I applied several little tricks that I’ve learned along the way, but there was one measurement that was eluding me as to how it could be measured without just making a wild guess. He just looked at it for a while and came up with a very accurate method that could be done safely from the ground and with a great deal of ease. He again came through as always before with a way that relieved me of so much effort and exertion I would have been up to on my own.

It’s not that we’re to remove our involvement altogether, because the passion and care that has driven our hearts to work so hard to this point is exactly what God would like to partner with. He sees and cares for everything that concerns us in the least, and really all He’s waiting for to get His hands dirty is a little, “Dad, could you help me with this?” He’s been there and done that, He’s way more strong, He knows all the tricks and work-arounds, He knows the end from the beginning, and if need be, He can just create or transform whatever needs changing. He does like to make it a team thing, though, because He wants us to be strengthened, empowered, skilled and capable in the Spirit together with Him. He wants this to be a growing experience as our pulling is a pulling that is yoked together with the One who knows just how it needs to be done. He also wants for us to be eased from the burden this life experience has placed on us. He wants to bring joy and fulfillment to a life where failures and impossible circumstances would prohibit them. As the work becomes something that is shared with Him, there will be, as evidence, a significantly lightened load, letting you know that indeed His yoke has been taken. There may be a whole day of plowing ahead, but with Him doing most of the pulling it can actually be a gratifying experience.

This is His desire and this is His prepared purpose in Christ for us that we no longer have to bear the weight of our heart’s most anguishing loads in personal failures, relationship challenges, financial mountains, or suffering self image or identity. Our Dad has come to stay and He’s really great with starting the mower on the first pull after you’ve been trying it all day, making the sink seal completely after you’ve never been able to keep that last little leak from dripping, or measuring quite safely things that have been threatening to cause a fall with great injury and damage. All He needs is for us to take our seemingly impossible situations to His side where they can be hooked up to His ability that has never even been closely challenged. Then, He has to be allowed to carry the real weight of the load, while ours is but a prayer of faith, acknowledging that He really is at work on our behalf. That fervent prayer then becomes the only part we need to bear as it is made to be most effect in His hands.

Seems like Dad’s gonna be staying for quite awhile- like, eternity – yeah!