Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, June 21, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Truer words were never spoken. I don’t care what it is. You cannot do it alone. Even those tasks you give no thought to are possible because of all those in your life who equipped you to do them—a parent, a mentor, a YouTube tutorial, a buddy. We can’t know how to do something we haven’t been taught. And we can’t fully live to good purpose in a vacuum. The American cowboy ideal of pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, go-it-alone, rugged individualism is probably one of the most damaging lies perpetrated on our society. It’s led folks to be like Moses and try to handle everything themselves to the point of extreme mental and emotional detriment. It’s something I and so many of us struggle to un-learn each day.
Jethro knew better. “Cut it out. You’re not God. Ask for help.” Whatever you’re dealing with today, listen to Jethro. You don’t have to—no, you shouldn’t try to do it alone. Reach out. God’s there and acts through all kinds of folks in our lives.
Who could I ask for help today with a challenge I’m facing?
