"So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." - Hebrews 12:12-13
A few thoughts on this great passage from Hebrews. The beginning of this chapter encourages the reader to consider the example of Christ, who pressed on and finished the task of laying down His life, even though it was hard. He endured all the pain and suffering that it encompassed and completed His journey.
This verse encourages us to take a firm grip with tired, sore, blistered, aching hands. To strengthen or stand up on our weak, hurting, swollen, spent knees. To pull ourselves up and "soldier on." Nothing changes about our physical condition, yet everything changes about our resolve. In the midst of the hard things we experience in life, the challenging areas, the difficult places, the overwhelming seasons of life, we hear the voice coming from the corner, "Get up...get up...keep going...keep going!!" Never quit. Never give up. Never give in.
And as we do that, we need to set a course, to mark out a straight path, to walk in the right way.
Why?
Because we need to lead the charge. Though we are tired and beaten, we cannot stop leading. Others are coming behind us. And they will experience fatigue and failure. When they do, they will be able to look to you and see you pressing on. As we follow Christ's example, others will follow ours. So, when we set a straight path for our own life, those who come behind us who are weak and lame will not fall, but will themselves take a new grip and get up on those tired knees and finish their journey.
Are you tired? Do you feel weak? Get up...I know you can do it. Keep on. It matters.
