02.18.21—Heroes – Psalm 91:1-2
My friend, may I ask you a question? When it’s God pulling at the end of the line, however, how far we can really be expected to go?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner
What does it mean to “give it your all?” We’re all familiar with the old adage, “going the extra mile;” but, when was the last time that you actually did that? For most, if not all of us, we may never have been tested that way. But, my Grandpa Brunner knew what it meant. “When you’ve reeled out all the line, you can always paddle.” He’d say. Grandpa would never cut a line when the fish was too big to reel in. He’d prefer to paddle after it rather than cut the line. I guess the way he figured, that fish would tire out sooner than he would. Willing to paddle was my grandpa’s way of “giving it his all.” When others figured they’d done enough, he was just getting started.
When it’s God pulling at the end of the line, however, how far we can really be expected to go?
Here’s a story: During the course of World War II, many people gained fame in one way or another. One man was Butch O’Hare. A fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier he once took off with low fuel. When he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to fill his tank he knew that he would not have enough fuel to complete his mission. As he was returning to the carrier, he saw a squadron of Japanese Zeroes heading toward the carrier. With the other planes gone, the fleet was almost defenseless. Single-handedly, he dove into the formation of enemy planes and attacked them, expending all of his ammunition. Then he dove at the planes clipping wing and tail tips, becoming himself the ammunition. Finally, the Japanese squadron high-tailed it, and O’Hare limped back to the carrier. For his valor he was recognized as a hero and given one of the nations highest military honors. (Source unknown.)
Psalm 91 says, “(God) is my refuge and my fortress.” I guess when I think about “giving it my all,” that Psalm is really a great comfort. It’s this realization, I believe, that gives a Christian the ability to keep going when others have had enough. O’Hare knew that “giving it your all” meant finishing the job completely just as my grandpa knew that “going the extra mile” meant employing every tool you have to get there. Picking up that Psalm is like picking up a paddle; there’s no telling how far you may be able to go. One thing I know, cutting the line is never an option.
We pray. Heavenly Father. “You are my refuge and my fortress.” I guess when I think about “giving it my all,” that Psalm is really a great comfort. It’s this realization, I believe Lord, that gives a Christian the ability to keep going when others have had enough. When giving it your all meant finishing the job completely just as my Grandpa knew—that “going the extra mile” meant employing every tool you have to get there, I have sometimes come up lacking. Forgive me Lord. Picking up that Psalm, though, is like picking up a paddle; there’s no telling how far I may be able to go. One thing I know, cutting the line is never an option. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.