“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Spring sprung a while back here in sunny Florida, and doing anything outside had been mostly sweat-less. Figuring the job of sealing my dock to be about a 2 hour job, I was actually looking forward to it. Within 30 minutes, with sweat coming from every pore, I began questioning both my purpose and my abilities! I needed some help, in more ways than one!

I hate sweating… always have. After a while, whether at work or leisure, heat causes me to become fatigued, then nauseous. As the sun rose, so did the temperature and my comfort. Having about a quart of liquid to drink, I began chugging to offset the sweat. But I wanted to pace my work and drink to meet the time required. When nausea set in, I humorously said to myself, “Man, you’re gettin’ too old for this!” Then began to question if that was really true!

Getting older leads to questions I don’t like to ask because they can lead to realities I do not wish to face. At my age, I still feel like I can do anything I have always done. But over time, as I’ve started needing assistance in the form of a tool, like a dolly, or a person, I am realizing new limitations. But using a paintbrush and a roller was NOT on my ‘needs help’ list.

When brain started kicking out orders, “move faster, drink more, think smarter, take a break, quit now,” I did what I learned to do a long time ago. I talked to The Master. When this Bible verse came to mind, I had to question IT as well. “REALLY Lord? You mean like finishing this sweaty job?” That led to more ‘ability and purpose’ questions. Soon I saw myself being loaded into the fire of the crematorium!

The best help I received was after the job was done. Tired, sweaty and nasty, I told a person I’m close to about the experience. They said, “it was REALLY hot today… in the 90’s! That’s normal for ANYONE working under the sun!” Suddenly, I felt better about my lot in life, that I’m NOT close to death or uselessness, and that I actually finished the job ‘like a boss!’

I came to realize that “ALL THINGS” in this Bible verse doesn’t really mean ‘ALL THINGS!’ I am limited by my humanity, age and abilities in MANY areas. I’ll never have to fly a plane, drive a ship, or design a building. But I CAN do, though Him, EVERYTHING HE asks of me. I was reminded that it wasn’t HIS idea to seal the dock in the first place!

What is God asking YOU to do for Him?