Keep Shoveling!

A couple years ago our tractor (which we use to clear our driveway) broke down.  We had a snow storm and our driveway and paths to the chicken building and shop were all covered with snow--in some places 4-5 feet deep.  What were we to do?  Sit around and wait for the snow to melt?  No sir!  It was time to get out the shovels!  With six people shoveling, mountains move.  We had already made good progress when a neighbor came and plowed us out.  

When the prophet Elisha was dying, he was visited by Joash, king of Israel.  Elisha told him to take a bow and arrows, open the window and shoot an arrow to the ground.  Then he told him to take more arrows and smite them to the ground.  Joash did this with three arrows and then stopped.  Elisha was angry with him and said, "Thou shouldest have smitten 5 or 6 times, then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice."

God has great plans for us, and He doesn't want us to settle for anything but the best--His best.  He doesn't want us to be timid in claiming His promises.  He want us to be ambitious.  Hebrews 4:4 says, "Let us...come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Reject the "I can't" mentality in both your spiritual and temporal life.  Do not let the fear of rejection and failure obstruct your path.  As Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  

Nothing worthwhile in life is easy.  Do not let setbacks discourage you.  

Trust God to work everything out for your good, be ambitious, and keep shoveling!