Want God's Will? Then, Cast the First Stone

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.