Over the weekend, we camped at Split Rock Creek State Park. By
comparison, it is a fairly mundane state park in the middle of bluff
country. If you are reading between the
lines correctly, that means it is a state park that is out in the middle of
nowhere, and there is nothing to look at. . .with one exception.
As my husband and I and another couple explored a trail near the
campground, we came across the Split Rock Creek Bridge (see picture). It was a WPA project that was originally
built in 1938. Other than a little added
mortar, the bridge has remained largely untouched, which makes it an impressive
and beautiful engineering masterpiece.
As we examined the bridge, we talked of the men who must have
made it. More than likely, unemployment
and hunger were the two ties that brought them to the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC). In joining the CCC, they earned their meals by completing an
honest day's work. The result of the WPA
and the CCC's efforts is many of the wonderful landmarks that we enjoy today.
I'm no engineer, nor am I a construction worker. As ornery as I am, I admit that I am a wuss
when it comes to physical labor. Sure, I
can split wood or haul dirt for a while, but I can't imagine the kind of effort
that was involved in unearthing, moving, lifting, and securing the stones in a
bridge such as the Split Rock Creek Bridge.
And to think. . .it all started with one stone. . .to which
another was added. . .and another.
As God has been reminding me lately, that's how faith works too.
As Christians, our earnest and sincere prayer is often this: "Dear Lord, please show me Your Will for
my life." We want God to show us
the big picture so that we do diligence by making helpful and productive
choices along the way. Our hearts are in
the right place. This is not a bad prayer, by any means, but we are missing the
point.
The end result of God's Will is not our accomplishments, but who
we are. Building Christ-like character
is the end goal. When we have achieved that, accomplishments don't matter,
because all of our choices and actions flow from the relationship we have with
the Father. The kick in the pants is
that building Christ-like character is (usually) a slow, step-by-step process,
which is based on one decision at a time.
And each decision involves one, simple choice: Obedience.
"And Jesus said, if any man wants to come after me, he
must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9:23). Knowing and following God's Will for our lives involves the denial
of self and obedience to God's promptings. The phrase, "denial of
self," in its most practical terms means consciously setting aside
whatever is rooted in self (physical or emotional comfort? pride?) that may
cause us to say no to God at any given moment.
"His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. .
.God is not working toward a particular finish; His end is in the process -
That I see Him walking in the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal,
just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on
the sea. . God's training is for now. His purpose for this minute, not for
something in the future" (Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest).
Thus, God's Will for our lives is revealed at the moment of
obedience. God's Will is the process,
not the end. Each time we choose obedience to His promptings, we are, in fact,
in the center of God's Will. There are at least three added bonuses each time
we choose obedience to His promptings. First, we experience the peace and joy that
come with living a life by faith not sight.
Secondly, we move one step closer toward Christ-like character as we
choose to live and act in the way He demands, and best of all, we grow in our
relationship with Christ. In order to be
obedient, we need to tune our ears to His still, small voice. As we listen and obey, we, again, know,
understand, and love Christ more deeply.
I am sure that the prospect of building the Split Rock Creek
Bridge was daunting to the CCC workers at first. The stones were so large, and there were so
many of them; but one-by-one, each stone was moved, fitted, and secured in just
the right place. The result is a
beautiful bridge that has withstood the wear and tear and storms of life.
The most daunting decision we must make on a daily basis is
whether or not to obey. When we do,
God's Will is in motion, and the end result is always something more beautiful
and enduring than we could have ever imagined.
