“Just one more fish!” I begged, loving the newfound hobby of fishing and not wanting to go inside. My mom silently agreed by nodding, and waited as I hooked a worm on the fishing rod. Within seconds, I could feel strong tugs on the rod. I reeled in as fast as I could, but the pole was starting to bend. It was clear that, no matter how fast I tried to reel the fish in, the fishing pole wasn’t going to cut it. The rod simply wasn’t strong enough on its own. It was starting to break under the weight of the fish. I grabbed for the string and pulled the fish in by the string. Once I unhooked the fish, my mom had calmed down and stopped screaming enough to fetch a bucket for this fish—later named Gulpa as he become our dinner. In the excitement of it, I showed Gulpa off to whoever was interested, but I couldn’t help but think of how our fishing rod couldn’t do it on its own.
Isn’t this so often how we are? We tend to rely on our own strength. We think we can get through life on our own. It’s not until we start breaking and falling apart that we realize… we can’t get through life on our own. Our own strength isn’t going to be enough, but thankfully, it doesn’t have to be! We need a Savior—and we have one. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Your own strength isn’t going to be enough. You’ll break under the stress of the world if you try to rely on your own strength. Instead, rely on God’s strength. His strength is enough for you, and it always will be enough for you. Shouldn’t we ask for strength from the very One who will never run out of strength?
Kayla Joy
Here's a picture of Gulpa!
