Some of the most...
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Some of the most bitter experiences of our lives come when we are forced to face our limitations: limits to our education; to success in our careers; limits of health; and, finally, limits of life itself. No matter how much we stretch ourselves and broaden our horizons, we will eventually reach the place where we can conquer no more. It is said of Alexander the Great that he wept when he could conquer no more lands. History was to show that he would have better spent his time consolidating what he had already won.
On the side of most cargo ships is a mark called the Plimsoll line. It is the level beyond which the ship must not beloaded in order to remain safe in storms. There are marks in our lives as well, showing how far we should go in attempting to achieve. Part of wisdom is to recognize our own Plimsoll marks.
I walk along with my son. He sees a twig which he wants to inspect more closely. He reaches out and grasps it. We walk farther and there are apples. He wants one and I can reach them for him. We emerge from the trees and he looks at the clouds. They are beautiful and puffy and he wants to touch them, but he cannot reach them and I cannot reach them. They are beyond us both. There were some things in the history of Israel that David could do, some that had to be left to Solomon. And there was one great matter of redemption that neither David nor Solomon could perform. That was reserved for Christ.
- Gasperson
