Hold a Leg

In a letter to General William T. Sherman, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant said that when he explained his plan for all out, total war against the Confederacy to President Lincoln that Lincoln was elated and said, “Those not skinning can hold a leg.” In other words, if one is not skinning the carcass, he can at least hold one of its legs while others do the work. Perhaps there is a lesson in that for Christians and everywhere.
There is work to be done. There are untaught ones who need to be instructed in the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:24-26). There are weak brethren who need to be strengthened; there are discouraged brethren who need to be encouraged (2 Cor. 1:8-11; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 12:12). There are hungry souls to be fed, sick to be nursed, naked ones to be clothed, and those imprisoned to be visited (Matt. 25:34-40; 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Jas. 1:27). Lonely, lovely ones, trapped in a body that no longer works, need a cheerful word and a kindly expression of our love and respect. A recent widow needs, not an ear, but a sympathetic shoulder to silently hear the anguish she cannot express. Somewhere, a mom and a dad who have lost a son to the devil would love to learn that you have visited “our boy” and sought his repentance. A phone that never rings needs to be stirred to action so that a daughter can tell her aged mother how much she loves and appreciates her (Prov. 31:28).
Too, there are unruly ones to be admonished; there are erring brethren to be brought back to the truth; there is error to be exposed and opposed (1 Thess. 5:14; Eph. 5:11; Col. 1:28; Jas. 5:19, 20).
In whatever area, in whatever field of endeavor you may serve, if you find yourself without a specific duty, remember that “Those not skinning can hold a leg.”
–Larry Ray Hafley; www.biblework.com

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