Many country fairs feature horse-pulling contests at this time of year. In one competition involving horses of equal size, the winning horse pulled 9,000 pounds. The horse that came in second pulled 8,000 pounds. One would assume that together they would certainly be able to pull 17,000 pounds. But no, they were able to pull 30,000 pounds! Their combined effort was greater than the sum of their individual efforts! Those horses didn't know that! Hmmm! What can we learn from this? 

A Biblical marriage comes to mind. When God harnesses two people together, the Bible says that He makes them "one." [You can't "un-one" one] It is a marvelous thing. Together they can 'pull' a whole lot more than they could individually. This oneness is a permanent thing; it is like being welded together (not glued). Glue can be dissolved, broken down, terminated. Welding permanently melts two metals into one. That is the principle.

Then, God can cause wonderful things to happen. The Bible says in Eph 3.20, "Now glory be to God. By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope." That 30,000 pounds is peanuts compared to what God does with those who are welded to Him, and to each other and who allow Him to enable them by His Holy Spirit to do His will. Now read the Amplified version of Romans 12.1 and notice the words reasonable, rational, intelligent:

I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

bh      BLOG: http://blog.bertsgoodstuff.com 
July 28, 2007