Doing Five Minute Friday with the prompt “Grit.”
Go!
At first all I can think of is that Vienna bread we bought that had something in it that screeched between your teeth and sent shivers up the spine.
But I finally think of “grit” as in strength of character, determination, pluck.
And I wonder if I have any. In myself.
So many times I’ve trembled at the brink of what God wanted me to do. Someone with more grit than I would dive right in and swim strong strokes. But I waver, plead with God, “I can’t!” and whine. Not grit, that.
But “I” have walked through (figurative) fires. I have faced opposition. I have stood firm on truth and righteousness. On occasion. Still trembling, or filled with an inexplicable peace that could only come from God.
Because it wasn’t my power at work. I didn’t have any! It’s always been when I came to the utter end of myself that “I did” the greatest, most difficult things. Came to the end of myself and cried out to Him to do His will in me that I couldn’t do. Then it happened: “His strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Maybe people-grit is like that in the bread. Not the kind we really want or ought to have, something that makes our presence known, but not in any way pleasant or useful. The huge power of the gentle Shepherd is entirely different from that, mighty to the tearing down of strongholds, holding forth truth people would rather not hear, but still burning with holiness and love.
Dear God, I count on your strength. Any grittiness I have is like that in the bread loaf. But yours is infinite, holy, and wholly able to do in and through me whatever you desire to have done.
Linked to
How true this is when we rely on our own strength, our own grit. But when we rely on His strength, that is the most beautiful of all.
I love the way you correlate “huge power” with “gentle Shepherd.” So often we don’t think of a shepherd as strong. But a shepherd must also protect his sheep in addition to feeding them and guiding them.
Love the way you returned to the grittiness in th bread. Beautiful post.
Hi Denise,
“I thank my God on every” reappearance “of you” on these comments. I just love to have you visit. And no wonder, you’re so encouraging. But that’s not all.
I also just like hearing from you again. 🙂
I’m praying for your editing work. It sounds like a challenge, but a very interesting one. And I wanted to mention on your post today how beautiful your husband’s work is on that jewel case — and how utterly gorgeous that wood. My husband does woodworking, too, and I’ve got to show him that.
Thanks much for taking time to stop by and offer your kind words. Many blessings to you!
This is the jewel of the day for me:
The huge power of the gentle Shepherd is entirely different from that, mighty to the tearing down of strongholds, holding forth truth people would rather not hear, but still burning with holiness and love.
Sylvia 1:1 (I just made that up!)
Love you,
Dawn
OH! NO! Don’t DO that!!
(Yikes!)
But thank you, dear friend.
Every time I rely on my own “grit,” I find myself tired and worn out. I also miss out on an opportunity to see God at work in my life and providing me with His own strength. Thanks for this post!
And thanks for this comment, Sharon! So true, for me, too. He is so good, and sometimes I can be so forgetful and, yes, just wear myself out, using my own “grit.”
God bless!