Show of hands, anyone ever tried to walk with a rock in your shoe? If you don’t think little things make a big difference you should try it. This happens to me every so often and did again just the other day. I should clarify that it happens almost exclusively when I’m doing my daily walks. I don’t mean when I’m on a trip to the mailbox wearing flip flops. I mean I’m prepared and on a mission. I’m wearing expensive shoes created to do exactly what I’m asking them to do.
Every time this happens, I wonder why. On the most recent occasion I gave it a little more thought. My shoes fit and I’m wearing them properly. What slowly dawned on me is that it happens when my shoes begin to wear out. Right now, this pair, about six months old, has logged 400 miles. Six months and 400 miles – yep, that is right on target for when they should be changed.
So, when even an expensive, high-end pair of walking shoes begin to wear out from doing exactly what they are made to do, little things begin to cause problems. Oh yeah, that’s starting to make sense.
I never stop to take the rock out. I know it might sound dumb, but I don’t want to stop and take the time. One, that’s awkward while I’m on the side of the road. Two, I like to race myself and reach my time goals. I try to ignore it and shake it off to one side. However, you soon realize that, no matter how small, when something that is not supposed to be there gets in, it takes over. It distracts. It causes pain. It can make you want to give up and quit.
This is so much like life. When we get worn down, even from doing what we were made for and what is good for us, something little can get in and cause pain and discomfort. It can distract us from our real focus. It can make us want to throw in the towel.
We can deal with it for a while kicking it to the side, practicing our mind over matter skills, even using it as motivation for those of us who thrive on the added challenges. Eventually, though, it’s going to be too much if we don’t deal with it. It makes me think of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He calls it a messenger of Satan even. We know it tormented him. We know he prayed for God to take it away. And we know God said no. Actually, God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
We don’t know for sure what that thorn was, though many theologians and others have debated it and come up with multiple theories. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter WHAT it was. What matters is WHY it is. Why was so that Paul and others would know of Christ’s power not Paul’s. Why was so that Paul wouldn’t become conceited, think too highly of himself and stop relying on God. Why was so that people wouldn’t mistakenly give too much credit to Paul. It wasn’t Paul’s power, it was God’s. Why was to show that in all things God is enough. Why was to show us that sometimes we have to complete the race with the rock in our shoe.
We all deal with things that torment us on some level – sin that continues to trip us up, challenging personalities always in our path, health problems that never go away, financial troubles that dog us, circumstances that just don’t improve no matter the promises or effort we put in. Sometimes those little rocks in our lives are the first indicator that something needs work. Something in our lives is wearing out and might just be in need of some TLC. If you’ve done what you can do, asked God to fix it and He’s said no, maybe He’s got a bigger why for you, too.
It might be that we need the reminder that God’s grace is sufficient regardless of the spot we find ourselves in. It might be that He’s about to do something big through you and needs to keep you humble. Let’s be like Paul and go to God before we consult our friends or Google. Let’s take it to God before we choose to give up because it’s hard and uncomfortable. Don’t let Satan steal your focus.
Sometimes a fresh pair of shoes does the trick. Sometimes, when we ask Him, God removes the thorn. But here’s the thing, sometimes God’s answer is “My grace is sufficient for you.” Are we ready for that answer? Ready to keep going despite our difficulties so that Christ’s power is made perfect in our weakness? Do we have enough faith to delight in hardships? Let’s choose to let His grace be enough.
