Do You Need A Push?

In his book, with the captivating title, “Even Eagles Need A Push,” Dave McNally tells about a man being awakened one night with a loud knock at the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock. It’s 3:30 AM!

“I’m not getting out of bed at this time,” he thinks, and rolls over. Then, a louder knock follows.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” whispers his wife.

So he drags himself out of bed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is a man standing at the door. It doesn’t take him long to realize the man is drunk.

“Hi there,” slurs the stranger, “Can you give me a push?”

“No, get lost, it’s 3:30 in the morning. I was in bed,” says the irate homeowner and slams the door.

He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says “Dave, that wasn’t very nice of you. Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the baby-sitter and you had to knock on that man’s door to get us started again? What would have happened if he’d told us to get lost?”

“But the guy was drunk,” says the husband.
“It doesn’t matter,” says his wife. “He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him.”

So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere he shouts, “Hey, do you still want a push?” and he hears a voice cry out, “Yeah, please!”

Still being unable to see the stranger, he shouts: “Where are you?” The stranger replies: “I’m over here, on your swing.”

There are times we all need a little push. Yes, sometimes even eagles need a push! Just like the mother eagle nudges her children out of the nest so they can discover their wings and realize their potential as the king of birds, it is our responsibility to encourage others when they are reluctant. Indecisive. Or just plain discouraged.

The Bible speaks of this encouraging push in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15. “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

Know anyone who needs a push?

The idle?

The timid?

The weak?

The hurting?

The sick?

The bereaved?

The terminally ill?

Who else needs a push to spread their wings and fly?

The novice?

The procrastinator?

The young?

The graduate?

Who do you see daily, or is in your church or social circle, who could use a loving push?

The fatigued mother?

The hardworking husband?

The senior citizen?

The physically impaired?

The new convert?

The spiritually challenged?

And what should be our Attitude? Patience. Kindness. Tenderness. Forbearance. Longsuffering. Forgiveness. And Compassion.

Remember, sometimes we all need a little encouragement. So look for someone today that you can give a push!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman