This is a blog I drafted two weeks ago to share with y’all:
With sweat dripping down my face, muscles straining and every fiber of my body shaking, I try to lift the weight… My friend, Walker, stands beside me laughing hysterically. I fall over, completely exhausted, and the weight crushes my foot. The crowd of kids laughs hysterically. I shake my head and limp off, as Walker tries his hardest to lift the giant load. With a grimace on his face he hoists the weight only a few inches off the ground and then falls over on his back as I, with chest swelling, laugh at his failure. We repeat this once more, both failing.
Then Walker tries something different. Before he even attempts to lift the weight, he prays and asks God for strength. I shake my head in disbelief. He approaches the weight, with a less cocky, more humble approach. He acts different. He picks it up, struggles for a brief second and then hoists the weight above his head, as the kids cheer him on. I was in shock, and realized I better do the same! I pray a brief, simple prayer, entrusting the weight to God. The weight feels lighter, I feel less pressure. Even though every eye in the school is gazing toward me, I don’t even notice. It’s just me, God, and this weight. The weight is light. It practically lifts itself. Joy sweeps over me, and I am blessed by how powerful God working through me is. For some reason, He decided to give me his strength to lift this weight that I simply could not lift. And I just know it’s because He is a good God. This kids cheer. Walker and I congratulate each other with a celebratory chest-bump. And then we turn toward the crowd of kids and shout, “Dios es fuerte!” Which means, “God is strong!” And the skit is over. (See bottom for video of skit).
My friends, my family, people whom I love dearly, listen to this beautiful truth: God at His very core, who He is, is good. And because He is good and strong He delights in giving us finite beings glimpses of His power, so that we may better reflect Him, praise Him, love Him – because that is what He, the Creator, designed us, the creation, to do.
What weights are in your life? What heaviness do you carry? A big life decision looming ahead? Grief from the pain of a loved one? Feeling as if no one loves you? As if no one cares? Let me bless you with something. God is strong and good. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He doesn’t promises ease, but He promises to be with you through thick and thin. Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Be encouraged. Cast your cares on Him. AND BELIEVE HE WILL LIFT YOUR WEIGHTS.
That is what the team and I are doing here in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.
I love each of you.
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