Roofs can bring us closer to God.
I was recently talking with a friend of mine about a mission opportunity she is considering. She’s thinking about going to a Salkehatchie work camp this summer with her son, but she’s undecided.
I encouraged her to go and I told her it would be life changing, but I warned her they may put her on a roof. They tend to have a lot of roof work that needs to be done.
In most cases all roofing for the day, has to be completed by lunch time because walking on shingles once they are hot, takes years off of their life. Therefore, all able-bodied people on the worksite, are encouraged to get on the roof.
My friend defiantly informed me that she would not be getting on a roof. I smiled and let it go. I knew it was fruitless to debate it with her.
But, I also knew that she would likely change her mind. I had been in her shoes just a year earlier. When I decided at the last minute to attend a Salkehatchie camp, I too, was quite certain I would not get up on a roof.
First of all, I knew nothing about roofing. Secondly, wasn’t I too old to do something like that? I was already in my mid-forties.
My daughter told me they would probably have me do things like fetching water and getting supplies. That seemed to be right about my speed.
When we arrived onsite early Monday morning, we said a prayer and then I was invited to get on the roof.
Up the ladder the teens went. Up the ladder the men who were a good deal older than I was, went. I have never been a fan of ladders. I don’t necessarily mind going up them, but I have never liked coming down them. Yet, up the ladder I went.
After a short tutorial on how to remove old shingles, I was in the groove with all of the seasoned volunteers. After the first day, I didn’t even hesitate to go up that ladder. Going up that ladder represented something so much bigger than I was. Being on that roof with that particular Body of Christ and being the hands and feet and face of Jesus, became so much more important than any of my perceived physical shortcomings. It became more important than any of my fears.
I learned so much that week about serving others. I learned that climbing ladders and working on roofs, just like any other seemingly insurmountable tasks are completed one step at a time and being overwhelmed by that which seems impossible, is forgetting the Who we serve.
I went in knowing that, “all things are possible with God.” I left with the deep conviction that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
My friend who is on the fence about the roof can too and so can you.
We should never fear a ladder. It’s simply a way to take us higher and things like roofs can bring us closer to God.
What roof is God calling you to today?
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂