Stones On A Path

Stones on a path can do one of two things. First, they can be used to form a path. Along the edges of a hiking trail, neatly arranged rocks can show the correct way. Stones can also form a path in their natural position, such as large rocks in a river used to safely cross while staying dry. In these cases stones form the path we take and help us to reach our destination.

On the other hand, stones on a path can become an obstacle of stumbling. Unevenly strewn rocks on a path can go unnoticed and obstruct your way, and at times may even cause us to fall. The very first time I did a trail run, I tripped over an unnoticed rock. After falling, I came to my knees and noticed my face came inches from a cactus!

Many struggles and trials we face in our spiritual life are like stones. They have the opportunity to help us along our journey, or they can become stumbling blocks, obstructing our path. The difference depends on how we decide to use them. A lot of times we can look hindsight at past trials to determine if we used them to strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God or have they hindered our faith and our relationship with God? Depending on how we answer that question will help us to use future trials to form our path of faith rather than trip us up.

James tells Christians in James 1:2-3, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." In Jame's view, trials can help form a path toward complete faith. Joy is a choice. With every trial we need to make the choice to allow it to form the path of faith, rather than obstruct it.

Blessings, 

Jeremy

Watch what you say!

At camp last year, I did an object lesson for the boys in my cabin. A boy volunteered to squeeze an entire tube of toothpaste onto a paper plate. The tube emptied with ease leaving a huge pile on the center of the plate. I then requested another volunteer to put all the toothpaste back into the tube. He struggled for several minutes trying various methods. He tried picking it up and shoving it in, using toothpicks, and he even tried putting the paste in his mouth and blowing it into the hole. Every method proved impossible to get all of it back in. No matter how hard he tried, there was still toothpaste on the plate, the ground, the outside of the container, and even on the face of the boy.

Harsh and hateful words are similar. Once we have said something unkind to someone, it is impossible to take it all back. Yes, there can and should be forgiveness, but damage is already done. Not only do unkind words hurt the other person, they often leave the offender with regret and remorse, as well as broken relationships in many cases. Much care and thought should go into what we say to others. James speaks a lot on the dangers of the tongue. He gives a great rule of thumb to consider when choosing our speech. James 1:19, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” We need to slow down and think before we say something we may regret.

James tells, and most of us realize, how difficult it is to tame our tongues. He says it is like a wildfire with the ability to do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. As Christians, we must learn how to control the things we say to others. Let us take the advice of Paul and improve the way we speak to each other. In Ephesians 4:29 Paul tells Christians, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

Blessings,

Jeremy