We plan our ways. We think we are heading the right direction – and then we get stopped. Dead in our tracks – we get stopped.
This can be so entirely frustrating when we are giving it our all, when we are trying our best and when we are submitting oursevles to the Lord’s will.
Why would God hinder us?
Why would he present us with this type of problem?
With all of my heart I knew God called me to follow, to write and to speak for Him. And, with all that I am – I was being obedient to his call. I was seeking him as I climbed his tallest mountains of purpose.
That is, until I ran right into it…
Until a rock came right up against me and stopped me in my tracks.
It was a big opportunity that was quickly taken away from me.
It broke my heart.
As I stood face to face with the immensity of it, I immediately felt discouraged.
I couldn’t move it.
I couldn’t cut it.
I couldn’t climb it.
Or push it.
It was outside of my control. It was no longer mine to have. It belonged to someone else.
Do you know how frustrating it is to feel blocked in life? To see where you need to be, but not to be there? How do we address the insurmountable rocks in our lives?
Because rocks, left unchecked,
turn into barriers that keep us angry.Rocks, left unchecked,
become heavy weights of uncertainty that make us question God’s love.Rocks, left unchecked,
dwell our minds on the “what if’s” and the “how come’s”.Rocks, left unchecked,
focus our heart on our performance verses God’s.Rocks, left unchecked,
make us feel they will forever stay in our way.
Truly, when we focus on the size of the barrier before us,
we miss the size of our God above us.
When we focus on the obstacle in our way,
we don’t realize that He may have a better way.
When we focus on how we can’t move,
we start to feel like we have something to prove.
God has something better for us.
He has his promises:
– God is for us. (Romans 8:31)
– God has a plan. (Proverbs. 16:9)
– God’s timing is perfect. (Ecclesiastes. 8:6)
– God renews our strength in a time of wait. (Isaiah 40:31)
– God’s ways are greater than ours. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
– There is no thwarting the purposes of the Lord. (Isaiah 14:27)
– God’s will be done – not our will be done. (Luke 22:42)
– There’s no one who can guide us like God. (James 1:5)
– Rocks in our path prove as opportunities to flex our faith muscles. (Romans 5:4)
– We can wallow in sadness or we can step forward in faith. (Hebrews 11:1)
– We are more than just conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37)
– Never was there one victory of the Lord that wasn’t accomplished. (1 Cor. 15:57)
– Nothing holds God back from his purposes. (Proverbs 19:21)
– We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
– As we lean on the Lord, he will faithfully guide us in his ways. (Psalm 32:8)
– God can move mountains. (Mark 11:23)
Sometimes the rocks that stand as the biggest barriers – are the rocks where we can best see Jesus. As we look up to him, he helps us get over them. He comes to our rescue. Where may fall and scrape ourselves a little, but he binds us up – bigger and better than we ever were. He uses the opportunity to grow us.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:6)
God can move any mountain that stands before us.
He may choose to move it, he may choose to quake it or he may just walk us right over it.
He said to them, “…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
If he wants it gone – it will be gone. And, if he doesn’t move it, he will pivot us. In the end, we will move towards greater faith, expanded trust and powerful confidence in his ways.
Let’s choose to believe this.
Let’s not give up.
Let’s push on to the goal the Lord has set before us, knowing that God is for us.
If God is for us, who can be against?
This rock may look like a barrier, but it’s through this rock we will overcome – through the power of Christ who works within. Whether he leads us over, pivots us, crumbles the mountain or draws us closer to him – choose to cling to him, the solid rock.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
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“This rock may look like a barrier, but it’s through this rock we will overcome” Amen! This is so beautifully crafted and encouraging, Kelly. You always get my attention with your many gifts, but always leave me marveling at His. Thank you for being a faithful steward. It blesses me.
Karen, yay! Another comment from you. Is it bad that I love your comments? Maybe I need to do a post on “man’s approval”. Ha! Thank you for your words. You encourage my heart for sure. I am glad that you are blessed. Keep in touch!
I do understand the incredible frustration of being blocked. I can completely relate, my friend. I’m so glad you answered God’s call “to write and to speak for Him” and to be His cheerleader, all jobs you do so well. Thank you for the reminder of His beautiful, unwavering promises this morning :).
It is so hard, isn’t it Candace? Thank you for your encouraging and loving words this morning. GOd is so good. Let’s stand in Him today. Much love to you Candace; you are a blessing to me.
Love this! After a particularly trying season of my life, I realized – when God says He will move mountains, we expect Him to do so like a copy/paste action. But, when God moves mountains, we should expect some shaking and quaking. But – oh that we would remain filled with faith and clinging to Him even when we don’t understand the changing landscape and the rubble everywhere! Thanks for your words and may you be blessed today, friend!
Anne
Anne, you are so right about that copy/paste mentality. We want things changed immediately, but sometimes God just wants us to wait. Thank you for sharing that truth with me today. Much love! Can’t wait to catch up soon!
Kelly this really spoke to me today… “Sometimes the rocks that stand as the biggest barriers – are the rocks where we can best see Jesus.”
Thank you so much <3
Rachel, I am delighted that this spoke to you. You are precious and the Lord loves you so much!
Thank you for sharing Kelly. He can use those rocks to teach us so much, like that Cornerstone of His, Jesus.:) Praying for peace as you wait for Him to move the mountain in His time and way and may you find joy in the detour- it often leads to a better route, more necessary for our growth. ((Hugs))
Thank you Katie for comment. The Lord is at work, as much as we may hate those rocks in the moment. So true. Thank you for your prayers. I am so appreciative. The journey can be rocky, but it is so exciting.
Kelly,
I appreciate the scriptures you shared in today’s post. It’s searching for his promises during these times of wait and rest and questions that anchors our hearts in him — something I am still discovering and will continue to seek out! Thank you for sharing this post!
That is right; his promises keep us so secure and so loved Valerie. I am praising God for them. Your words bless me.
“choose to cling to him, the solid rock”
Choosing to cling, I’m choosing to cling.
Thanks for the encouraging post today, Kelly.
You are so welcome Kristi. Thank you so much for visiting today. It is a joy to have you.
If He doesn’t move it, He will pivot us
Amen!
Thanks for your comment Sarah and thanks for visiting Purposeful Faith too. Blessings to you.
Yes, we can trust him no matter what. Thank you for this comment Sarah. I love comments.
This speaks, Kelly, “Sometimes the rocks that stand as the biggest barriers – are the rocks where we can best see Jesus. ” Amen. And I’m so glad to hear your voice!! It’s such a great element here. <3 Thank you for continuing to encourage our hearts to Christ. xo
Yes, and the thing we want to do most of all is see more of him. This can make us feel thankful instead of anger-filled. Thank you for the Quicktime tip. You were vital to this process of recording Meredith!
I l.o.v.e. this, and the timing could not have been more perfect. Thank you sooo much for sharing! I hope to share this on my blog later this week!! <3
Liz, than you. I am so glad that God used an opportune moment to speak right into your heart. What a blessing.
And,I am delighted you are going to share it on your blog. Yippee!
Pushing on! 🙂
Go Jodie! God goes with you.
Amen, On Christ the solid rock I stand. Oh, those pesky rocks can just seem insurmountable sometimes – we can’t see over them, we can’t see through them, and sometimes they just don’t budge. So glad that God has a birds eye view and He gives us the strength to press through the rubble – He is our strength. Blessed by your wonderful encouragement.
Thank you so much Tiffany. The Lord can help us overcome anything that stands against. There is so much power in that truth. I love your words to me and thank you so very much for joining me here today.
Oh friend before I even got to the end my heart was singing “On Christ the solid rock I stand”. It is sobering for me to read how you articulate the ways we can get BEYOND the rock. I see the rock/barrier and say “Well I guess I’m stuck, I’ll just sit here”. Then I’ll sulk sitting her not rejoicing in the sitting and keep my eyes open for how He will move me beyond the barrier. But just like Hagar who sat down, ready to meet her death, He showed her the water. Lord Jesus when the barrier is before me, I look to you, cling to you. Thanks Kelly.
Tyra, I love seeing your words and hearing your reflection on these posts. Thank you for that. He will show us how to move past or how to pivot. He will lead us. Let’s join hands in looking and seeking how. It’s not always easy, but, in the end, it’s so much better.
It is so hard to have opportunities slip through our fingers, and feel a sense of powerlessness over it all. Thank you for sharing the beautiful lesson that you learned through your heartache. We appreciate your words, over at #TellHisStory.
Thank you Jennifer for joining me on this journey through the mountains. God is so in charge. Much love to you.