On that early morning, a small group of women were on their way to minister to the body of Christ, expecting to see an obstacle that would separate them from their Lord. They posed the question, “Who will move the stone?” The term “minister” in this context can be interchangeable with “serve” or “worship.” Sadly, many times we are faced with this same challenge.
Just a few years ago, I learned that my oldest daughter’s marriage was failing, that she had been a victim of an abusive relationship, and that my son-in-law, whom I had loved as my own child, was the abuser. There are no words to describe the rollercoaster of emotions I felt at that moment as I witnessed the struggle of my child and her two sons.
Daily we are bombarded with a firehose of negative actions, attitudes, and reactions from multiple sources. If we are not intentional in our response, the onslaught can overtake us and lead us down a path of anger and apathy. Constant conflict can cause us to become jaded and calloused, and over time our hearts can become hardened, even to the good news of the gospel.
How many times have I been on my way to minister to the Lord and not realized that the stone between us was my own hardened heart? Fortunately, we serve a God who not only loves us whatever our condition but also through our condition. Above all, He alone can and will roll the stone away! Ezekiel 36:26 tells us, “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
My prayers to forgive and be forgiven are ongoing. I pray that I will never again lose heart but find renewal every day. I pray that my beloved daughter’s recovery will continue, as she has become an exceptional worship leader and regularly ministers to at-risk youth. And I pray that my grandsons and their father will have an experience with our Father that will change lives.