Sunday, August 24, 2003
Sunday, August 24, 2003
But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is
for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
Remember that God can use anything we offer to Him in a great and wondrous way. He can
use our weaknesses as well as our strengths. He can use the hard lessons we have learned as
well as our youthful enthusiasms. God is omnipotent. If there is a need, He can take whatever
we offer and use it.
(John 11.4
NRSV)
One of Aesop's fables tells the story of a deer, a handsome buck, that came to a spring to
drink. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water, and admired his strong and beautifully
shaped antlers. He was not as impressed with the appearance of his legs. They looked so thin
and weak. While he was engrossed in admiring himself in the spring, a lion appeared and
charged toward him. The buck fled and easily outdistanced the lion, for his true strength was in
his legs. In the open fields he had no problem staying in front of the lion. Unfortunately, he soon
ran into wooded country, where his antlers became entangled in the branches of a tree. The lion
caught him. The buck thought to himself, "Alas! my legs which I thought were too frail were my
salvation and the antlers which I thought to be my strength were in fact my destruction."
Loving God, take my life and use it to your glory. Amen.
