Tuesday, December 10, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

You Don't Always Have to be the Strong One

2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
 
Recently, I was driving home from work and upon looking in my rear view mirror, I was surprised to see a bicyclist on my tail. He was peddling with all of his might to stay behind me. I wondered why in the world someone on a bicycle would be pursuing me like that... Did I have a flat tire? A broken tail light?

Finally, I had to reduce my speed when approaching a red light, and I caught a glimpse of this bicyclist's face. Surprisingly, it was one of my co-workers. So, now, I thought that surely he was just REALLY determined to say hi, but again, that was not the case. He peddled right past me...no need for him to stop at the red light.

Out of curiosity, I called his fiancée (another one of my co-workers) and asked her if that was indeed who I thought it was behind me. She confirmed that it was her soon-to-be husband and that the purpose of him riding so close to me was to steal my draft.

I jokingly told her to tell him to get his own draft (but really I didn't mind...I wasn't using it- lol). When riding in a group, cyclists actually use drafting as an effective riding method. Drafting can be very cooperative: several competitors take turns in the lead position and draw off of each other's strength.

I know for me personally, there are people in my life that I draw from in times of weakness, and likewise, when I am strong, they draw off of me....it's like spiritual and emotional drafting.

The Apostle Paul penned today's scripture explaining that he is content with times of weakness and trials. He realized that in these times, God makes Him strong.

For many (and I am sure we have all fit this characteristic at some point in life), there is sense of pride to handle things on their own. However, the Bible says in Proverbs 16:18 that pride comes before the fall.

I challenge you today to draft off of the people that God has placed in your life and, most importantly, to draft off of His spirit. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to lean on someone else even if YOU are the one everyone drafts off of most of the time. Otherwise, you'll wear out and crash when you could have instead been made strong.

Dear Lord, I thank You that I do not have to carry my hurts and challenges alone. You are there and You have placed people in my life to strengthen me.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.