The End Of Your Rope

Given December 31, 2005
I’ve heard the expression, “I’m at the end of my rope.” for years and know it means someone’s about to give up or can’t go on. But recently, God showed me another way to look at this expression.

If you feel you’re at the “end of your rope”, which end are you talking about? In gym class, (I barely remember back that far), if you expended much effort and reached the TOP end of the climbing rope, it was a good thing. People cheered for you and you got a good grade. If you’re at the BOTTOM end of the rope, well, just let go and stand on solid ground.

I remember a similar time when I was a teenager at a local swimming lake. Part of the lake was set up for public swimming with sand and everything but the outlying areas were just lake, mud, weeds, etc. A kid’s beach ball had gotten blown into the outlying area and I went into teenage hero mode and swam to get it. But as I got closer, my wake pushed the light ball farther away and I had to swim some more to try and retrieve it. This happened sevral times and I was getting exhausted but couldn’t quit because it was too deep, I thought!

About the time I felt I couldn’t go on and was getting worried for my safety, forget the beach ball, I accidentally hit my foot on something solid. It was the muddy bottom! The darn water was only about four feet deep! How embarassing!

The point is, sometimes we struggle greatly with something when God wants us to abandon our own efforts and put our feet down, (or let go of the rope), and let Him take over. So, at which end of the rope are you? It could be that either end can work out well for you if you “let go and let God”. “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 The Message