The angel of the Lord touched Elijah, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:7 

Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet. Hebrews 12:12-13 

Those verses from Hebrews certainly seem to apply today. We have over 10 inches of snow that needs to be shoveled. Certainly by the time you shovel for a while you have drooping hands or weak arms, as some translations state. You also may have weak knees whether or not you started out with good knees. The point of shoveling is to make a straight path or at least one you can walk on safely. For your feet and for your car too. Somehow I don't think the author of Hebrews was actually writing about snowfall in Minnesota. 

Rather, he was writing to people who were followers of Christ. But were having some trouble keeping going. An explanation of make straight paths for your feet was not just a physical path to walk on. Rather he is telling believers to conduct themselves properly and not lead astray those that were weaker in the faith. He encourages them to do the things that they know are part of their faith. Not to add to the doubt of some. The writer starts chapter 12 by telling us that we're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Therefore, we should throw off everything that hinders us and the sins that can entangle us. He also talks about running the race that is set out for us as part of God's plan. 

In I Kings, in the account of Elijah, he has just defeated all the prophets of Ahab and Jezebel. The next thing he does is he gets scared and runs off, goes to a cave and tells God it’s time to  die. Yet the Angel comes and tells him to get up, not only get up and eat, but provides the food for him to eat. There's more for him to do. There's more for him to do to accomplish the plans God has for him. God has some plans for us. We don't usually have angels come tell us so directly. We need to discern what it is God is calling us to do, listening to the witnesses and reading scripture. Staying around those that encourage us.  Doing the best we can; relying on God to give us strength.  

Merciful God, help us to remember that when we feel weak and are struggling, we can turn to you. We are grateful that you are always available to nourish and energize us. Sustain us with your spirit and direct us through the day. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen. 

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party