Find Guidance In Scripture

Find Guidance in Scripture

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

To the outside world, Cassie had it all together—the right clothes, the right car, the right job. But her doctor knew she had something else: a stress-related ulcer.

It’s too bad she hadn’t heard the statement from Helen Keller, the renowned American lecturer who was deaf and blind: “It’s amazing what can be done when one person invites others to be part of the plan.”

After the latest bout of severe stomach pain and extensive medical tests, her doctor dropped the report onto Cassie’s hospital bed.

“I’ve known you for a long time,” he said. “So I’m not going to beat around the bush. Whether or not you get well is in your hands, not mine. You have a choice: You can slow down and learn to share responsibilities with your staff, or your body will force you to slow down through collapse. What will it be?” He waited for Cassie’s answer.

Finally she stammered, “But I’m the president and CEO of my company.”

He remained unimpressed. By now he was scribbling on his prescription pad.

“It’s up to you,” he said, as he handed her a slip of paper. “But it’s tough to run a company from a hospital bed.”

As he left, Cassie glanced at his “prescription,” which stated only, “Read the book of Nehemiah. Don’t try to build the wall alone.”

Cassie gave an exasperated huff, then opened her ever-present briefcase, filled with books for those moments when she was stuck in traffic or when service was slow in a restaurant. On the bottom of the stack was her Bible. She turned to the book of Nehemiah and began reading, but soon she was sorting through her briefcase again, this time in search of a notepad and a pen. —SANDRA

Lord, help me to discern which activities are to be completed alone and which ones are to be shared. Point out the areas where I allow pride to cause me to take more onto my weary shoulders than I should. Help me to remember that a burden or a job or a responsibility is lighter when I allow others to help carry it. Then show me the individuals who are part of your plan to help me.

Yes, work should be meaningful, but nowhere in the Bible does God say work should overtake our life. —RAMONA CRAMER TUCKER, AUTHOR