A man and a woman are discussing some faulty equipment owned by the man. For every suggestion the woman gives, the man counters with another problem. With each solution, a new issue develops. Eventually, the solutions take the couple back to the original problem. With nothing solved, they could continue this discussion forever without resolving anything.
Some of you think that I’ve been eavesdropping in your home! I assure you that I’ve not been doing that. And I promise that your spouse hasn’t shared this with me in confidence. This seems to be an age-old problem and the story which I told at the beginning happened in 1700 Germany. The Germans brought it to America in 1937, still talking about this seemingly unsolvable problem. In fact, the problem is so prolific that most American children have heard about it even before they started preschool.
There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,
There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.
Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, mend it.
With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, with what?
With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw.
The straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza,
The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.
Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?
With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,
With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, a knife.
The story goes on to give five more solutions and arguments as to why this will never work. It sounds like a committee meeting in the average Baptist church!
A famine was getting ready to befall the land of Egypt according to the Pharaoh’s dream and the interpretation provided by Joseph. This is a huge problem that could affect perhaps millions of lives. God gave Joseph the solution. “Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. (34) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. (35) And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. (36) And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.” (Genesis 41:33-36)
Life is full of problems. Prayerfully, wisely, and carefully the Christian must respond to the need. Every time we say, “It can’t be done!” we limit God. Every time we say, “It’s never been done that way before,” we are limiting ourselves. So many problems never get fixed because these two exclamations slam on the brakes for potential solutions.
When problems arise, practice James 1:5. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” When God supplies the solution and it is going to stretch you in ways you’ve never been stretched, don’t coward out by saying, “It can’t be done.” See the need and take the lead! “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
