Articles
Just Push On It!
The Lord appeared one night to a man and told him that he had a work for him to do. He showed him a large rock in front of his cabin and said that his work was to push against the rock with all his might.
Day in and day out the man pushed mightily on that rock for many years. Yet, the rock never moved. Eventually he became discouraged and approached the Lord in prayer. “Lord”, he said, “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. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
The Lord answered, “My child, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never did I mention that I expected you would move it. Your task was to push. Now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, this is not true. Look at yourself. Your strong and resilient as a result of your faithful labor beyond what you would have been. Your calling was not to move the rock but to be obedient and push against it. You have shown faith and trust in My wisdom. “I, My child, will now move the rock”.
Our friend misunderstood his task. His work was to push. God would eventually move the rock.
As God’s children we often come to believe that success or failure comes as the result of our own strength and ability. Yet, God calls us to faithfulness. We only limit ourselves when we see it as all about us. As a result we tend to see and judge success from the human view point. But God sees us and our efforts from a different perspective. One can be a failure from the human standpoint and yet be faithful to God.
Paul was counseled by God to trust in Him and His strength to endure his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). He recognized that in Christ he could do “all things” (Philippians 4:13).
When Paul wrote to the Ephesian brethren about putting on the armor of God he began with the exhortation to “stand”. I believe we would make the same mistake as our friend to assume that we are being told to win using our own strength. The armor exists to protect us. The victory is won by another.
We as God’s children are called to put on God’s armor and stand. We are taught to lean upon the Lord and his might. Our labor is to be faithful and persistent. God will make up what is lacking. He will achieve the victory for us. He will bless us for our faithfulness and steadfastness. It is to Him we should turn for strength and for victory. “...but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
~ Charles Hill,
Chambersburg church of Christ, Chambersburg, P
