1-31-21 Grab a Shovel
Quote: “If you ask God to move a mountain, don’t be surprised if he puts a shovel in your hand. Sometimes we have to work for our miracles.”
There have been many times in my life where I have wanted the one particular path that Robert Frost talks about in his famous poem, “The Road Not Taken.” You’ll have to look this poetry up to get the full effect but he talks about 2 paths – one is easy and well traveled while the other is neither. I’ve wanted the popular, easy, predictable, and safe path so many times. I don’t have to do a lot of work on this path – it’s pretty easy to figure out and control. No shovel or gardening tools required!
But then there’s that other path…
It’s often lonely, hard, topsy-turvy, and it’s always changing. It’s where our character is built.
But so often we think that just choosing the hard path is the finish line. We say we’re “all in” to choose the hard path but then when push comes to shove, we don’t want to do the hard work of actually traveling down the path. Frost says that once he chose the not so popular path, it made all the difference in the world. And I believe that he came to that conclusion because he was willing to go through the pain and the potholes to get to keep moving toward the finish line.
What are you going to do to help make blessings and miracles happen in your life? If you really want that job, you can’t just take the attitude that God will provide. If you really want that Godly marriage, you can’t just wait for it to appear. You have to be willing to meet God and people half way. We can’t just sit back and expect the world and God to provide every need. That may mean going shopping and getting an outfit for an interview. Filling out the job application. Making the interview appointment. Finding out what’s needed to get that promotion. Getting the certification. Going back to school. Making a budget. Praying. Reading a book. Seeing a therapist. Whatever you have to do to show God you’re willing to do the work to get the miracle or blessing.
When we are on a path of uneven ground, we often call on our friends and family and faith to help us, right? We need help. We realize we can’t do it alone. We need their wisdom and prayers. We often get very close to people and God when we’re on this path. If it gets too hard, they help keep us from running back and abandoning the path all-together.
But there is a fine line between laziness and faithfulness. I’m all about keeping the faith, don’t get me wrong. But the Bible is very clear about sitting back and expecting God and others to show up and do the work for you. There’s a word for that – it’s called enabling. And last time I checked, that is not one of the fruits of the Spirit the Bible talks about that are the evidence of having a faith.
When I saw this quote about grabbing the shovel and getting your hands dirty, I immediately thought of a verse I’d read once in the book of Proverbs, which was written by one of the wisest humans to ever walk this earth. Reading King Solomon’s book is like reading fortune cookie messages. The book is sprinkled with easy-to-understand truths. Proverbs 13:4 says, “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” The message is clear – you’ve got to be willing to do the work to live the full life that God has intended for you to live!
It’s time to grab a shovel.
