Learning a Life Lesson in the Sixth Grade

I remember learning this favorite lesson of life in the sixth grade: Mrs. Truck announced a contest as a challenge for the class to research famous art works of the Renaissance era. I was not highly motivated by the subject, so was slack to participate. On the last day of the assignment, I looked over some materials, and was surprised to win second-place. I learned that we are capable of more than we might expect by just doing something.

God has compassionately provided for our health so that we do not need to make perfect choices without fail. Our bodies seem to have a built in safety net (so to speak) in order to compensate for a measure of our oversight, ignorance, etc.. The counterside, however, is that minimal standards are to cover our ignorance; they do not represent guidelines for optimal health.

To illustrate: Recently, my office desk, a heavy piece of furniture attached at one end to a credenza/book case, crashed to the floor. Investigating the problem, I found it was resting on a small metal brace attached to the credenza by three small half-inch screws. The purpose for the brace was to provide a momentary support while the four two-and-a-half-inch bolts were inserted and fastened through bored holes. The parts and supplies needed were neatly packaged and available, but overlooked and not used. The brace with tiny screws endured to support the demand for as long as they could.

The context for understanding Galatians 6:9 is sowing and reaping, cause and effect. So whatever else it means, "Let us not be weary in well doing because in due season we shall reap if we do not give up" must include "Let us not give up doing what makes us well."

Don Loy Whisnant/Journey Notes 8E01
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