Christian Message Boards: Pushing Against the Rock

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Posted by HisGrace (Member # 3438) on :

There was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had a 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.

This 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 and 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? You are never going to move it? etc."

Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged 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 my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all 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 and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all 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 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, TO PUSH AND TO

EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN MY WISDOM,
this you have done. I, my friend,

I WILL NOW MOVE THE ROCK

Author unknown

Posted by HisGrace (Member # 3438) on :

My burden has lifted. I have pushed the rock long enough and now it is Jesus' turn.

I have done my best now he can do the rest. [spiny]

Posted by helpforhomeschoolers (Member # 15) on :

[clap2]

Praise Our Glorious God!!!!
[youpi]

Posted by WhiteEagle (Member # 3728) on :

Thank you for that story, It is a blessing! [Smile]

Posted by RioLion (Member # 1875) on :

Beautiful story and analogy.

But as coming from the scientific/engineering background, I immediately wondered why he did not use his brains and employ cables, pulleys, levers, etc. With the simple principles of physics he could have moved the entire earth if he had a place to stand on.
[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Bat Elohim (Member # 3739) on :

quote:
Originally posted by RioLion:
Beautiful story and analogy.

But as coming from the scientific/engineering background, I immediately wondered why he did not use his brains and employ cables, pulleys, levers, etc. With the simple principles of physics he could have moved the entire earth if he had a place to stand on.

LOL!!! you know... when I was reading it... I was thinking that he needed to get a log or something as a lever... but... LOL!

I was a great story. [Smile]

thanks for posting!

Posted by HisGrace (Member # 3438) on :

RioLion I really don't want to bring this up, but I feel led to address something you said. When I read your post I felt that you were quite flippant, so therefore there is a lesson to be learnt from your words.

When I opened this thread I was going through some difficult times and this story really spoke to me. When I posted on the 16th, I was at one my lowest points because the Lord was starting to reveal some facts to me and I was shattered. (He certainly has his reasons for protecting us sometimes)

I did say that the burden had lifted, but that doesn't mean that the devil isn't still lurking around. However, the Lord has helped me to stay firm on his promises and I know he never tells a lie.

The thing I am learning about this faith walk is that he never tells us when our prayers are going to be answered. We may be given a scripture and it may take 2 days, 2 months or 2 years for His promises to be fulfilled. It all has to be according to his perfect timing.

I have no hard feelings RioLion, but supposing I had lost a child (which isn't the case - thank-you Lord) and was trying to overcome a very difficult grieving period, insensitive remarks like that might have sent me over the edge.