Strong Strength

I’m in Atlanta waiting for the final flight on this journey home. (That could be a country song). That leg from Paris to Atlanta about did me in. Now, I just have to get through a five hour layover and a couple more hours of flying and a 30 minute drive and I get to say hello to my bed.

Nevertheless, I was thinking about something the other day that didn’t fit into any of my updates so I thought I’d throw it out there while I’m waiting around here in ATL.

There’s a guy a came across on Facebook named Anatoly (I think I got the spelling right). He’s incredibly strong but when he puts some janitorial clothing on he looks relatively normal. He’s cut but he isn’t bulked up.

He does pranks where he walks up to large-muscled weight lifters and surprises them by his ability to lift very heavy weights.

When we got Mark’s new freezer home Derrick, Mark, a Malagasy guy, and I carried it coffin-like into the house. It needed to go upstairs and the stairs have a railing and are L-shaped.

When we got to the foot of the stairs I was starting to discuss the plan of attack when the two Malagasy guys took over, lifted it over their heads and proceeded to carry it upstairs unaided by our arms or my managerial skills.

The thing is, if you saw these two guys you would wouldn’t think they could lift much of anything. They have Anatoly type strength. It isn’t evident by the size of their biceps. It is seen in their actions. It’s a practical strength.

I found the same thing to be true of the cart pushers and pullers. They don’t look strong, but my goodness, they have incredible strength and endurance.

So, strength is not always something that can be judged by outward appearance. While big biceps, triceps, and forearms may point to great strength, you might be surprised by how many people have strength that isn’t readily apparent.

When I was in Bible college we had a chapel service a few times a week. Often, the school president would invite a local pastor to preach. One service a guy was introduced whom I had never heard of. He was awkward looking. Big, thick glasses, gangly…I judged him quickly as not up to the task. But then…he opened his mouth and my how that man could preach. I still remember one of the sermon illustrations from that message and it’s been over four decades since I heard it. I’ve never used it myself because I feel like I would be like a child playing Mozart.

My takeaway is we shouldn’t focus on looking strong as much as just being strong. And strength, moral and spiritual strength, is found in the Lord Jesus.

If you made it all the way through, give me an “Amen!”

Banyan trees in Anatanrivaro