When you are faced with one challenge after the other, you get to a point where you simply cannot keep going. It just becomes too much and you have to throw in the towel. It’s human and all of us reach breaking point one time or another.

This reminds me of an exercise in the army that I hated. You had to hold your rifle with both hands, your arms horizontally straight out in front of you, for as long as possible. Eventually, your arms would start shaking to keep that rifle in the air.

The one who kept this up the longest could have a rest, while the rest had to run to a distant bush and back, and try again. As you circled the bush, your arms would be flapping weakly at your side, exhausted.

The running in full kit also took its toll on your body, and your knees especially came close to giving in. Your body would be screaming: That’s enough! And the corporal was shouting even louder for you to get back quickly so that he could chase you around the next bush.

Life’s pressures also make you walk around with weak arms and tired knees. At some point, you fall and cannot keep going. Life has forced the last bit of energy from you and you want to give up.

This happens to so many people.

We have to help them get up: ¹²So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! God commands all His children to do this. I think the world is in the state it is because many of God’s children are going through life wearing blinkers.

They don’t see the need of other people. They don’t see people next to them struggling to push forward. They’ve become deaf to the creaking of people’s knees. Who should help them? Who should encourage them?

Many will say, but my arms are weak and my knees are creaking. And that may be true, but my spinning instructor always says your head is stronger than your body. Your body will think it is at the end, but there’s still a lot left. Your head must just get in the game and motivate your body to keep going. Before you know it, you’ve gone full-out for the last 15 minutes.

Others are watching us. They are energised by us. That’s why we have to go and refuel with God, so that we can raise our arms and knees. Then we can also help others up and tell them where they can refuel.

We must become excited again to be part of the world as children of God. We must tackle our day with new strength and bring new life wherever we go. Yes, we must ¹²Clear the path for long-distance runners …

Scripture
Hebrews 12:12-13

Reflection
What is hard for you?
How can you get strength from God?
How can you help others?

Prayer
Lord, I’m tired. I don’t know if I can keep going, but I’m getting tired. I’m going to plug into You now and face life head-on. May others see me doing it and do it too. Amen.