When Will It Be Okay To Stop Obeying The Lord?

[StrawberryFields]

When will it be okay to stop obeying the Lord?

Is it okay if we become discourgaged in our efforts?

Is it okay if we feel we have been abandoned by Him?

This is similar to a story I read many years ago which hit me very strongly.

Pushing Against The Rock

Author Unknown

There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Saviour appeared to him.

The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as ``Why kill yourself over this?, you're never going to move it!'' or ``Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface!'' etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. ``Why kill myself?'' he thought. ``I'll just put in my time putting forth just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough.'' And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.

``Lord,'' he said, ``I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even 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 to push against the rock with all your strength and that you have done. But never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet still, you haven't succeeded in moving the rock; and you come to Me now with a heavy heart and your strength spent. I, my friend will move the rock. Your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done.''

Link where this story came from below

http://owen.sj.ca.us/~rk/LDS/stories/pushrock.html

[Ray]

Heh, I know that feeling. Some rocks just won't budge. And right now even God cannot move them.

But maybe someday, if we all just give a little nudge, the rocks will move themselves to be near Him.

:)

[begood2]

SF,

Thanks for sharing a great story!! :)

[StrawberryFields]

You are Welcome!

To me this illustrates that we are to obey our Heavenly Father and once we have done all that we can we can, go to him, and if it is His Will He will do the rest. In this story the man became a stronger, better person having done what he was told to do.

[babygirl]

isnt it funny how things come right when you need them to...and most the time the person who says them doesnt even know how much of an affect what they say will have on someone let alone there perfict timeing.

Thanx berry that was perfect

[StrawberryFields]

isnt it funny how things come right when you need them to...and most the time the person who says them doesnt even know how much of an affect what they say will have on someone let alone there perfict timeing.

Thanx berry that was perfect

You are Welcome

[Nic]

<span style="font-family:Georgia">Thanks for sharing that story .. I'm glad I read it, I really needed it.</span>

[Lindy]

Thanks SF :)

I think that story is like a talk in church.... people will hear different things that will apply to them.

I like the fact that the man did what the Lord told him to do, and when doubt was put into his mind by satan, did he stop completly? NO, he decided to take things to the Lord.

I think that satan really does take advantage of the times when we get discouraged in our efforts, casting doubts and causing us to question the Lord.

We do have to remember who we are and where we came from and that it is our job to go to Him in prayer, humble ourselves, and listen to what we are told.

Is it okay if we feel abandoned? I say that the feeling of abandonment is a test of our faith.... what are we going to do with that feeling? I think the best thing to do is decide what you want in your life.... the feeling of pain, sorrow, anger and seperation from the spirit? OR take a stand and fight to get the feeling of peace, love and happiness back into your life.

I have lived thru a time feeling abandoned by the Lord..... it wasn't fun. I didnt' like it at all, I didn't like feeling empty inside.... so I took a stand and fought to get it back, never wanting to lose it again..... And I was rewarded with peace, love and happiness back into my life :)