A mouse in the house (audio devo by Teresa Hampton)
Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
One of my shortcomings was always shoe shopping with my teenage boys. In their minds, shoes defined a person and solely determined whether or not they would make a million dollars playing professional ball. (And I will admit to an eye-roll just now.) However, I viewed shoes as a mandatory piece of their school uniform, freeing me from the bondage of home-schooling, which would have been the death of us all!
Oh, I have other shortcomings, too. I was incompetent hosting my children’s sleepovers because I like to go to bed early and fifth graders do not! And, I cannot choose glasses that look good on me because when I try on new glasses, I need my old glasses to see how I might look in my new glasses. (Just to name a few.)
However, I am not without merit. Among my list of attributes is that I can spot a four-leaf clover in the grass while speed walking. I can wrap a present in record time thanks to my teenage employment in the mall’s Christmas gift-wrap department. And I can whip up dinner in no time using the last three remaining ingredients in the fridge. I will, however, refrain from commenting on the dinner’s taste or nutritional value.
So, why do I tell you this?
It is a reminder that we are uniquely and intentionally created by God with a variety of attributes and shortcomings. By God’s design, each of our attributes and shortcomings differ. Our shortcomings keep us humble and require that we lean on each other and on God. Additionally, we can use our attributes to empower others, compensating for their shortcomings. Working together empowers each of us as we live a life glorifying God. And this is just the way God intended life to work.
Moses was one of the most notable leaders of all time, but he fell short when it came to public speaking. Moses’ resume would have deemed him unqualified for any leadership position. But in Exodus 4, Aaron empowered Moses to lead by utilizing his own attribute for public speaking and becoming the voice of Moses.
In Luke 5 we find Jesus surrounded by Pharisees and Sadducees, all trying to trap Him in His words. Due to the many naysayers crowding Jesus, those who sought Jesus for the right reasons could not get close to him. So a group of friends empowered a paralyzed man to see Jesus by letting him down through the roof.
Both stories involved those who empowered others with their God-given attributes. Public-speaking was on Moses’ list of shortcomings, but made Aaron’s attribute list. Working together, Moses and Aaron formed a dynamic duo, and with God’s help successfully opposed the mighty Pharaoh and led God’s people to freedom. The paralyzed man, empowered by his team of helpers, provided Jesus the chance to heal and forgive sins in the presence of unbelievers and many believed that day in the deity of Jesus. Through both of these empowering partnerships, God was glorified.
Neither story recounts a solitary person working alone. Both stories attest to empowering others and bringing glory to God. So, it fell upon my husband to shoe shop with the boys, to take the late-night shift at the sleep-overs, and to help me to pick out my new glasses. Yes, where one is weak, another is strong. And that’s just the way God planned it.
Father God, help us to understand the value of teamwork and empowering others as we seek to bring glory to your name.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane