Heavy Lifting

From the Preacher’s Pen – Dr. Chuck Terrill

Heavy Lifting

I heard this story quite a while ago, but I want to share it with you.  An elderly lady went to her doctor, concerned about her declining strength. 

“While seated in your recliner,” the doctor said, “with a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute and then relax. Each day you’ll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.

The woman, incredulous, retorted, “And after I’ve mastered the 100-lb bags, then what?”

The good doctor replied, “After you feel confident with the 100-lb bags, try putting a potato in each bag.”

We ought to try some “heavy lifting” to keep our spiritual lives fit for the King’s service. 

Lift your Voice: (Psalm 116:1-2) I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, I will call upon him as long as I live.

Lift your Eyes: (Psalm 121:1-2) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Lift your Hands. (Psalm 134:2) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.

Lift your Worship: (Psalm 150) Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.