Stupid Rock

During part of my military training, I had a company commander that would run us to a certain rock (huge boulder) about three miles out. Once we arrived at the rock, he would command us to try and push the rock over the edge of the gully. We never did, of course, but we certainly tried.

I wondered for a while why he would always want us pushing against that stupid rock, knowing we would never move it. I saw it as an effort in futility, an immovable object, an obstacle in our training. It was only later that I began to realize that it wasn't an obstacle, it was a tool to strengthen us. The rock was strengthening us individually by developing muscles by pushing against its resistance. It was also strengthening us as a unit as we came together in an effort to move the huge object.

Today's word is a quote from Frank A. Clark, which says, "If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."

We so often look for the easy road, the easy way to get from where we are to where we think we want to go. If something crops up, if something arises, if something gets in the way, we detour around the obstacle and go five miles out of the way looking for an easier path. It could be that the obstacles are preparing us for something later down the road.

If we never had any resistance, if we never had any struggles, if we never had anything to overcome, how would we ever get any stronger? The obstacles in our lives are, sometimes, just that - obstacles. But, perhaps, sometimes, they are opportunities to strengthen and develop us.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T