Lifting Barbells!

This is such an EXCELLENT devotional from Joni and Friends that I just had to post it.

"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13

Growing strong in Christ is like lifting very heavy barbells. The trouble is that no one likes to lift them. We walk around those huge barbells and examine them, comparing them to other weights we've seen. We gather with other barbell lifters and discuss the proper technique involving the approach, the bend-and-grasp and the pull-and-jerk.

We enjoy listening to the testimonies of famous people who have lifted record-breaking weights, and we collect books and articles about barbell lifters of the past. We join groups of other lifters who are like-minded, and together we pray and memorize verses about barbell lifting.

We do everything but actually walk up to the barbells and lift them! Sometimes fear keeps us away. Will we succeed? What if we can't lift the heavy weights? Are we too weak? When we finally wrap our hands around the task and begin to exert force, eureka! At that point divine energy surges through us. God's power works in us at the moment we exercise faith for the task. We can do all things-even lift those barbells-through Him who strengthens us.

As you work out your salvation, God works in you, giving you the desire and power to accomplish His will. You only have the strength to say "no" to a bad habit when, in His energy, you say "no." You only have the desire and the power to read His Word when, in His energy, you pick up the Bible and begin reading! (This was for me!)

Lord, today I will face many challenges to my faith and I probably will feel like turning and running away. May I respond positively to each challenge, wrapping my hands around the task, and trusting You to give me divine strength as I obey.
Blessings, Joni and Friends

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530