Just Push...

This is an old story, I was reminded of last night by McNitzky-

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin, when suddenly his room filled with light and God appeared.

He told the man He had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his house.

God explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

So, he 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 home sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the enemy (Satan) decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the weary mind:
“You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved.”

He gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. The man was discouraged and disheartened.

Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough. That’s what the weary man planned to do, but first decided to ask God.

“Lord, I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

God responded compassionately, “My son, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, 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.

Now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.

Is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown: your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

Through opposition you have grown much, and our abilities now surpass that which you used to have.

True, you haven’t moved the rock.

But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise our faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done.

Now I, my son, will move the rock.”

God, Please show us the "rocks" in our lives we are so busy trying to move.

Thank You for the reminding us that You are "The Mover" of both the boulders and little pebbles.

In His Dust,

DCC