Broaden My Shoulders
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
As we kick off September, our church is starting an exciting new sermon series: “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.” This message is all about moving forward in your faith, trusting God for the next level, and learning how to grow spiritually in practical ways.
Pressing Forward in Faith
Growth doesn’t happen by staying in the same place. Just like our oldest son recently started first grade, stepping into something new requires a fresh mindset. He couldn’t take a kindergarten approach into first grade, and the same principle applies to our spiritual lives. The routines, habits, and disciplines that helped you begin your journey with God are important, but they may not be enough to take you where God wants you next.
Whether you’re a new believer or have been walking with Christ for years, God often calls us to take bold steps—praying more, digging deeper into Scripture, and trusting Him in new ways.
Carrying Burdens vs. Carrying Your Load
In Galatians 6:1-5, Paul introduces two types of responsibility:
Burdens (Baros) – These are heavy, life-shaking challenges that require support from others. Family, friends, and the church are here to help carry these burdens with you.
Load (Phortion) – These are personal responsibilities that only you can carry, such as your prayer life, your spiritual growth, and the choices you make daily.
Understanding this distinction is key. We can’t let others carry our phortion—our personal load—but we can ask God to help us bear it well. This is where the idea of “broaden my shoulders” comes in. Instead of praying for a lighter load, we ask God to strengthen and expand our capacity so we can faithfully carry the responsibilities He has entrusted to us. By partnering with God in this way, we develop endurance, resilience, and spiritual maturity.
Sow to the Spirit, Reap Eternal Life
Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Every decision is like planting a seed. Sowing seeds of selfishness, anger, or sin produces destruction, while sowing seeds of love, patience, and faithfulness produces spiritual growth and eternal impact.
Even small, consistent steps—praying, reading the Bible, serving others, sharing the Gospel—can produce a harvest of blessing in your life and in the lives of those around you.
Don’t Loosen Your Bowstring
In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages perseverance: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The Greek word for “weary” carries the imagery of loosening the string on a bow or taking off a soldier’s sandals after a battle. It reminds us that now is not the time to relax or coast—it’s time to keep pushing forward.
When we feel tired or tempted to give up, we are called to tighten the string, keep our spiritual shoes on, and continue sowing seeds for the harvest. Paired with the concept of broadening our shoulders, this imagery encourages us to stretch our capacity, step into new challenges, and persevere in faith even when it’s hard.
Take the Next Step
This series is an invitation to take bold, intentional steps in your faith. Maybe it’s dedicating extra time to prayer, fasting for a season, studying Scripture more deeply, or stepping out in service. These steps expand your spiritual capacity, strengthen your resilience, and help you grow closer to God.
Remember, what got you here won’t get you there. To reach the next level in your relationship with God, it’s time to carry your load faithfully, broaden your shoulders, tighten your bowstring, and trust God for the harvest that’s coming.