Always Know Where Your Towel Is

"So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!"

Psalm 31:24 

 

Okay.....you're about to find out what a nerdy guy I am.  One of my favorite books and movies is "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."  One of the more interesting aspects is the concept of ALWAYS know where your towel is.  You see, the towel happens to be quite the multi-functional item....with it you can wipe the sweat from your face, it can be used as a weapon, it can be used as a signaling device, it can be used as a protection device, it can be used to distract the cat...the uses are seemingly endless.

 

Now let me ask you a question: Have you ever wanted to throw in the towel?  Have you ever experienced situations that seemed SO overwhelming that you really wanted to just hand your towel back to God and tell Him: "Thanks for the experiences, but I'm done!" Have you ever experienced your dreams being crushed that you felt your heart break within you?  I have.  And I've wanted to just sit down on the curb, throw in the towel, and be done with it all.

 

Guess what?  We're not alone in feeling like this!  David, the beloved of God, felt like this when, after he had sinned by seducing Bathsheba, then having her husband killed so David could marry her (because she was pregnant).  Nathan cam to David and confronted him about the matter, David was ready to give up figuring there was no way he could ever bounce back from that.  THEN God told David that his son Solomon would be building the Temple instead of David.  Throw in the towel?

 

What about Peter?  Who swore that he would stand with Jesus no matter what, then denied Him three times.  He wept bitterly and was ready to throw in the towel as well.

 

But here's where it's important to know where your towel is: God told David that, even though he would not be building the Temple, he could help Solomon.  Jesus told Peter that "upon THIS rock, I will build MY church!"  Never throw in your towel!  Use it to dry your tears, wipe the sweat from your brow, and Carry On!!!