Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Determined Woolly Worm

My son Aaron and wife Emily decided to build a workshop on their property. So the day came to pour the 32×36’ cement floor. Although I didn’t do any hard labor like the rest of the family-and-friends crew, I was given charge of the eating department. Therefore, I  had the opportunity to observe what was happening outside. I was very impressed with everyone’s positive attitude and teamwork. Nevertheless, I was even more impressed with a lone woolly worm. Just after the cement was poured, one of the guys spotted him on the wet cement and tossed him over the side. A bit later, I was looking at the still-wet floor and saw the woolly worm inching his way across the wet cement again! He was struggling and I felt sorry for him, knowing he would soon have so much cement on his feet and furry body that he would clog his cogs and die. Much to my surprise, he never gave up or waved a tiny white flag. He was very determined and just kept making small strides of progress until he made it to the other side and became free.

Against all odds, the little guy made it! God uses everything at His disposal to inspire and encourage a believer’s life. In this new year, let’s be determined to stay strong, keep moving in harmony with God’s direction, and one day cross the finish line.

All types of people are watching the everyday lives of Christ followers. A few may be impressed with us, some may be against us, and some may think we’re nuts. But, against all odds, we’re to press on with joy and confidence that God is for us. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT). I appreciate the wording from The Message,  “With God on our side like this, how can we lose? Several years ago I heard a church speaker interpret this verse as, “If God is for us, who cares who’s against us?” I like that perspective for sure.

I was astonished with the determined attitude of the little woolly worm, and this scripture should encourage all believers to keep moving straight toward the finish line: “When I am pressed on every side by troubles, I am not crushed and broken. When I am perplexed because I don’t know why things happen as they do, I don’t give up and quit” (2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB).

I don’t know what goes on in the mind of a woolly worm, maybe he had no thoughts. But in case he did, maybe he was thinking like humans often think. “This is just too hard. I’m all alone. No one cares about my dilemma. I can’t handle this any more — I’m just going to give up.” If we’re tempted to think along these lines, let’s remember this scripture: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] (Philippians 4:13 AMP).

With a clean slate of a new year ahead of us, let’s approach every morning with a made-up mind that we can do whatever we need to do. “I am rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined” (1 Peter 5:9).

 The Key: Be determined not to give up and quit, because God is on your side in 2026.