For every house is built by someone,

but the builder of all things is God.

Hebrews 3:4






Monday, December 28, 2009

Pushing The Rock


Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:1-6




Pushing The Rock

There was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room was filled with light and the savior appeared.  The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.  The man did, day after day.  For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock pushing with all his might.  Each night the man returned to his cabin sore an worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

~

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as, You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't budged.  Why kill yourself over this?  Are you ever going to move it?  etc.  Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

~

These thoughts disouraged and disheartened the man even more.  Why kill myself over this, he thought.  I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.  And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.  "Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all of my strength to do that which you have asked.  Yet, after all of this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter.  What is wrong?  Why am I failing?"

~

To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago i asked you to serve me, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.  Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.  Your task was to push.  and now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.  But, is that really so?  Look at yourself.  Your arms are strong, and muscled, your back sinew and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.  Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.  Yet you haven't moved the rock.  But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom.  This you have done.

I, my friend, will now move the rock.

~

Author unknown 


6 comments:

Lady Farmer said...

Great story! ;~D
Zechariah 4:6
Hope your Christmas was full of His Blessings!

Mrs. E said...

Beautiful~ indeed! :)

*hugs*
Love in Christ~ Miss Jen

DownBranchRoad said...

Greetings from Southern KY.
I just spent the last hour reading some your blog entries. I felt such a conection and God's spirit. I would love to email if that would be ok? You are living the life that I pray someday God has in the plans for me and my family.
I pray you have endless blessings, good health and happiness in 2010.
joyemcginnis@windstream.net

Camille said...

Beautiful and encouraging post Christa! Thanks for sharing.

Have a wonderful New Year...are you doing any special celebrating??

With Love,
Camille

Christa said...

Thank you Camille.
We are hopefully going to a friends house for New Years. The ladies will be having a sewing day while the men/boys build a cedar cabin. Some of us are under the weather so we are not sure if we will make it to this grand occasion. If we do, I'm hoping to have pictures to share.

:)

Christa

Unknown said...

"...and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." This is such an awesome verse and one I try to keep in mind when tough times come.