A WORD FOR TODAY, February 9, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, February 9, 2026
“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you,[a] to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.’ Again he says, ‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.’ Again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.’ Again, Isaiah says, ‘There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.’ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:1-13, WEB
I don’t watch the big game. I do sometimes check out the commercials, but I try to find them online the evening of or the day after the game. The last few years haven’t been great, so I don’t go out of my way. There’s always one or two that are memorable. This year’s is the Budweiser commercial which follows the relationship between a young Clydesdale and an eagle chick. The commercial is one of the best in years, an anniversary remembrance of a 150-year-old company that left our eyes watering with American iconic symbolism.
Budweiser has generally been very good at producing memorable commercials, often with a lesson that makes us think. Twenty years ago they did one that starred another young Clydesdale. It began with the colt frolicking in the field with its mom and dad watching. When he ran into the barn, he came across the wagon, which was ready to be taken out. The tiny horse slipped his head into the harness, pulling with all his might while his parents watched from the doorway. It was difficult, but as we watched – and strained with him – we could see the wheels trying to give way. Finally, the wagon moved and the colt proudly drew the wagon toward the door. As the camera pulled back away from the scene, we saw the mom and dad horse pushing the wagon from the rear. Meanwhile a man and a Dalmatian were sitting nearby watching. At the end of the commercial, the man turned to the dog and said, “I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”
It is not always appropriate to help someone to do something like the horses did in this commercial. A parent should never complete a school project because they think it is too hard for their child to complete. Yet there are definitely times when we can, and should, step in to help someone. Unfortunately, many people do so in a way that demeans the weaker vessel. Instead of pushing from the back, they push the little one out of the way. Or, they make themselves look better, like those who will give charity for the acclaim. They want everyone to know that they are great, so great that they can be like a savior to the weak.
The older and stronger horses gave the baby a moment of joy by pushing the wagon. He grew up in an environment meant to foster his vocation of pulling that Budweiser wagon. It always takes time. Clydesdales that will pull the wagon have to grow bigger and stronger, but for one moment he had a glimpse into the future. In our faith journeys, there are times when we aren’t quite big enough or strong enough to accomplish our purpose in God’s kingdom. We need someone to come, to give us a lift or a push to get us moving on our way. We need others to help us in our faith. Equally, we are called to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ when they need a boost. We don’t do this for the acclaim; we don’t do this to get ahead. When we edify another, God is glorified and the love of Christ is manifest to the world so that others might experience His grace and believe in Jesus.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276.