Running The Chainsaw

Devotional for Tuesday, November 9, 1999 by Michael Steckel

With winter coming once again, I need to get wood cut so I can use it to heat my house. My brother-in-law gave me wood from his lot, which he is clearing. Since he had been clearing this area, most of the wood had been in the dirt. This does not bother me, but it sure does play havoc with my chainsaw. The slightest amount of abrasive on the logs dulls the chain on my saw in no time. It is easy to tell when a chain is getting dull. First, one almost has to push the saw through the log. Second, when cutting with a dull chain, one cannot cut straight through a log. The saw will curve through the wood and get bound up. So I try to clean off the logs, because I know that the cleaner they are, the longer my chain will last.

As I was cutting my wood and noticing the condition of my chain, I thought about today's scripture: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." When we take counsel with the wicked we can become dull. Our relationship with God can suffer. For example, if I have a friend who likes to go to a strip club, do I go along with him because we are friends? Do I listen to him when he says it is okay to look? Or do I tell him I do not condone that behaviour and I cannot go? If I listen to the counsel of the wicked long enough, then I will start to follow them. Instead, I believe a true friend will help build up my faith, not tear it down.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may our light shine forth before men. May we only be focused on you. May we not listen to the counsel of the wicked, but instead show them the love you have shown us. May we not become dull, but instead remain sharp in our faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Michael Steckel <steckel@uspacenet.com>
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

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