Never Alone

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 ESV). Did you hear the one about the guy who drove his car into a ditch on a lonely country road? Fortunately, a local farmer came by with his big strong horse, named Buddy. The farmer hitched Buddy to the car and shouted, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move. Then he hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy just stood there. Once more the farmer yelled, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Still nothing. Then the farmer calmly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" The horse immediately stepped forward and easily pulled the car out of the ditch. The motorist was grateful but very curious. He asked the farmer why he had called his horse by the wrong name three times. "Oh!" the farmer replied, "Buddy's blind. If he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try." Have you ever felt like you were the only one pulling? You aren't alone. The Old Testament tells us Elijah had those same feelings, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." (cf. 1 Kings 19:10). It's easy to feel like Elijah or Buddy. Sometimes we get so blinded by our own problems and circumstances that we can't see those around us who are still pulling with us. God spoke to Elijah, assuring him that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had refused to bow down to the pagan god, Baal. God has reminded me recently that I am not the only one still pulling. He has given us special friends that are sharing our burdens and making our load a little lighter. Are you carrying a heavy load today? Does it feel like you are the only one pulling? When you hear Him calling, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" Remember, you're not alone! God hasn't forgotten about you! In her poem “The Parable of Tomorrow,” Ruth Gibbs Zwall offers this description of God’s leading: “I looked at the mountain. ‘It is too hard, Lord,’ I said; ‘I cannot climb.’ ‘Take My hand,’ He whispered; ‘I will be your strength.’ I saw the road, ‘It is too long, Lord,’ I said; ‘so rough and long.’ ‘Take My love,’ He answered; ‘I will guard your feet.’ I looked at the sky. ‘The sun is gone,’ I said; ‘already the way grows dark.’ ‘Take the lantern of My Word,’ He whispered; ‘that will be light enough.’ We climbed. The road was narrow and steep, but the way was bright. And when the thorns reached out, they found His hand before they touched my own. And when my path grew rough, I knew it was His love that kept my feet from stumbling. Then I grew very tired. ‘I can go no farther, Lord,’ I said. He answered, ‘Night is gone. Look up, My child.’ I looked and it was dawn. Green valleys stretched below. ‘I can go on alone now,’ I said—and then I saw the marks. ‘Lord, Thou art wounded. Thy hands are bleeding. Thy feet are bruised. Was it for me?’ He whispered, ‘I did it gladly.’ Then I fell at His feet. ‘Lord, lead me on,’ I cried. ‘No road too long, no valley too deep, if Thou art with me.’ We walk together now and shall forever!”