Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (NIV)

A huge pine tree, shaped like a sling shot, stood in our front yard. Its shape was both a curiosity and a marvel. One afternoon, however, after we had experienced a heavy, late spring snowfall, I noticed that one side of the sling shot appeared different. Taking a closer look, I realized that the weighty, wet snow had split one of the forks away from the trunk. The tree was not rotten; it was simply not able to endure the extra, unexpected, snowy weight, due to its size and shape.

The reason that I had not immediately seen the split was due to the fact that the broken half had fallen across both the power and the telephone lines, which, incredible as it was, were holding up under its weight, and continued to hold up for another 24 hours before the power crew was available to remove the burden from the lines.

Throughout those 24 hours, I waited, watched, and prepared in every way I could in case the lines gave way and my power and telephone services were cut off for an indefinite period of time. Fortunately for me, those lines held. They stretched lower and lower under the stress and strain, but they did not break.

This incident reminded me of how we, too, as Christians, have the power to hold up under the most trying circumstances and burdens when we rely upon the spiritual lines of power and communication that God has graciously provided for His children.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit's power, we are able to receive comfort and encouragement, while the gift of the Word communicates truth and guidance, which is able to direct us toward the best ways and means to bear up under our own circumstances.

Today, if any of us is feeling burdened and stretched beyond endurance — on the verge of breaking — let us make a choice. Let us choose either to begin or to continue to lean upon the power and communication lines that God has so graciously provided for us: His Holy Spirit and His Word. By so doing, we shall discover that we shall not be broken amidst the stress and strain of life's burdens but shall indeed achieve the victory in Christ for which we so long.

Prayer: Thank You, heavenly Father, that You, Who did not spare Your own Son, but gave Him up for us, have so graciously also gifted us with the spiritual lines of both power and communication to bear us up amidst the burdens of this life. May we choose today to avail ourselves of these gifts, that we may attain victory in Christ, in Whose name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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