Every year at this time I order wood for my stove. The truck inches up the driveway and soon an enormous pile of wood is deposited on my lawn. The older I get the bigger the pile appears. I can only move one log at a time. Who's gonna stack all this?
This year, every attempt to solicit help from grandkids failed (except William who is chopping kindling for me). Lord, I can't do all this myself . . .
Then, He reminded me of the time, years ago, I was ministering in Ithaca, NY. and decided to go for a run. It was a very hot day, but my plan was to run the three miles back toward the house where I was staying and my hostess would pick me up at the bottom of Benjamin Hill. Why there? Benjamin Hill is, by far, the steepest hill I've ever seen. I didn't even like driving up that hill. It's San Francisco steep!
I waited at the bottom of the hill . . . Where is she? She should be here by now. Fifteen minutes went by and the heat was getting to me. I decided to attempt it. A third of the way up, I felt as if I was getting in trouble. "It's too far, Lord."
He whispered, "Don't concentrate on how far you have to go. Concentrate on the ground passing beneath your feet."
I put my head down and watched the pavement inching past my feet. Slowly but surely I was making progress. About twenty feet from the top I heard a car beep. NOW she comes!!
This was an enormous feat for me. I learned a lesson that has sustained me through many radical 'hills' in my life. In Christ, we can conquer every trial one step at a time.
Well, my woodpile is finally shrinking. I'm doing four or five carts full a day. Easy on the back . . . one log at a time.
I know that we're in a very difficult season in this nation, but we will come through. Sometimes, I'm tempted to question what difference my solitary prayers will accomplish.
The problems seem overwhelming. But, then I'm reminded of Benjamin Hill, and also the lesson I learned from the Lebanon Cedar. God placed a chemical on the tips of their roots that enable them to drill through rock! He has equipped us with rock-drilling power through the Holy Spirit. Through Him, our prayers can move mountains.
lesson I learned from the Lebanon Cedar. God has placed a chemical on the tips of their roots that enable them to drill through rock! He has equipped us with power through the Holy Spirit. Through Him, our prayers can drill through anything.
Keep your eyes on Christ. We will overcome - one prayer at a time!
Read more about the Lebanon Cedar and many more trees.
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