Lay It Down

Futile efforts – I can think of a few.  When the boys were home, mopping was a futile task.  A freshly mopped floor just begged for someone to track in mud or spill sweet tea.  Barbara Johnson had a descriptive phrase for such pointlessness: “nailing Jell-o to a tree.”

 

It’s tough sometimes to just "get past" stuff.  Instead of moving on, accepting what is as is, we allow problems and circumstances to rob us of so much.  Eventually, we feel like we’ve moved on, got it together, and everything’s okay.  The problem with that solution is it just doesn’t last! Do you know why?  It’s because we try to deal with “stuff” in our own wisdom and strength, shutting God out.  Now, that is futility!  Job wrote, “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, and place your gold in the dust … then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you.” (Job 22:23-25) . Never expect flesh to do more than what flesh does, and it does not bring about lasting quiet to spirit and soul.  King David wrote, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26).  Trusting God fully as Strength and Portion is both wise and effective.  Nailing Jell-o to a tree would be a pretty neat accomplishment – let me know how that goes.  Laying aside what we hold so dear, even our own counsel, is never senseless.  Giving God all our struggles, however, is wise and effective.  Whatever it is, my friend, lay it down and let God take it up!