Are You Strong Enough or Smart Enough?

February 4, 2024
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
The P.E. teacher blew the whistle, and the race was on.  How many set-ups, how many pull-ups can you do in a minute?  In my youth, I measured up with the best of them.  On to the next skill set.  Climb up that forty foot rope to the top of the gymnasium ceiling.  Are you kidding me?  No net to catch you if you fall, not even a soft mat to land upon, not to mention the rope burn as you come down in rapid fashion.  Oh well, no worries.  I never was concerned about the fall, or the rope burn.  At sixteen, if you fell a few feet, you at least didn’t break anything, except your pride.
 
“Run faster, run faster, take longer steps,” was the cry of the track coach.  Now Charlie was the fastest guy on the track team, fast as lightning.  “O.K. Allan,” said the coach, “I’m going to have Charlie run behind you and when you slow down, he’s going to kick you.”  What was the coach thinking?  There are sharp cleats on track shoes.  I’m proud to say, that day, Charlie never caught me.  I learned to run zig-zag! 😊
 
Be tough, be strong, be fast, but most of all be smart.  I was smart enough to know that in life, I needed something to compensate for all those deficiencies.  Here’s what worked for me.  An attribute that sometimes has served me well, then sometimes, not so much.  I am stubborn.
 
If it hurts, be stubborn enough to grit your teeth and say nothing.  If you need to lift something, tell the stronger guys around you, “You might be stronger, but I’m more stubborn and can lift as much as you.”  If you need to be faster, find a short-cut.
 
But of all the people I know, the toughest person I know, is my Savior, Jesus.  No one has ever been as tough as He was in life, or on the cross.
 
Think about it,
Pastor Allan
 
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