If you’ve ever run in or been to a track meet, you’re probably familiar with the relay team. Back in high school, my favorite event was the 800 mile relay (where 4 runners work together to run two times around the track).

Even thinking back to those days, my heart swells a bit, remembering my teammates and how we all worked tirelessly on our own and together. We all worked not only for personal endurance, running many miles each day, but also for that strategic moment where timing, communication, and coordinating efforts all came together for what was called the baton handoff. It was a beautiful thing when all of those parts came together for a smooth and continuous flow of efforts.

Looking back now, I see how the process didn’t quite work if one or both of us got distracted by the cheering crowd on the bleachers, one of the competing runners, or even our own negative thoughts.

That memory came to mind this morning after my husband and I read this morning’s Word Among Us. That, and this post about working to let go of some of our pride https://dailygrace.blog/2026/01/19/fight-the-flesh/

I’d like to include today’s reading, the meditation for Wednesday, January 21, because it is beautifully written and has been one of the most important life lessons for me. My hope is that it can benefit someone else today!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to throw a rock at your problems and watch them all disappear? That’s what David did: he chucked a stone at Goliath, and the dreaded giant collapsed.

But there is more to this story than David’s bravery. As his words to Goliath show, David relied on the Lord to give him victory. How else could one small stone make such a big difference?

God wants us to learn this combination of faith and action that David showed, that cooperation between God’s grace and our work can lead us into victory. David’s words, “Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand,” shape how much he placed his confidence in the Lord (1 Samuel 17:46). But even as he spoke these words of defiant faith, he picked up a stone, took aim, and fired a deadly shot. Try to imagine what would have happened if David had merely boasted in the Lord but had not done anything. It could have been tragic!

How often do we think that relying on God means being passive, and therefore neglect the work that he calls us to do? On the other hand, how often do we rely on our own strength, doing the “work of the Lord” but neglecting the “Lord in the work”? Both approaches are risky. The first one can leave us feeling fruitless and frustrated. The second one can leave us either full of ourselves or worn-out and despirited. But the middle way–the way of cooperation between divine grace and human work–brings not only fruitfulness but refreshment and joy as well.

It’s a challenging combination. We need to humble ourselves and recognize that we are weak without the Lord. But we also need to believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We need to learn the art of being still and knowing that he is God, and we also need to learn how to step out of the boat and onto the surging waters of life.