Carrying the Load
/Greetings in the Name of our Lord,
Brenda had never been rock climbing. An experienced friend convinced her it was totally safe. Halfway to the top, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens. She looked around, no lens anywhere. She was desperate, she prayed, “Lord, help me find it.”
At the top, she was anxious and afraid of the journey back down without her full eyesight. She prayed, "Lord, you can see all these mountains, every leaf, every rock. You can see my contact lens. Please help me." Right then, a friend exclaimed, "Hey, guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Where did he find it?
An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it on its back. I can only imagine what the ant was thinking, "Lord, I don't know why you want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."
The next time there is a life cliff to climb, pray this prayer. "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it, and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.”
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Without God, I am nothing, but with God..."I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Phil.4:13)
This Sunday, in worship, we will be looking at Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Jesus knows that unless our whole heart is focused on God then our ability to see God and see God’s way will be limited. I am calling this sermon, “Cleaning Out the Closet.” If we are ever going to see and understand the task that God has set before us, then we need to clean out the closet of our heart to make room for the things of God.
Not many followers of Jesus ever reach the pinnacle of a pure heart. It is a lifelong process of making sure our heart is in the right place. In his book The Incendiary Fellowship, Eldon Trueblood says that only ten percent of Christians ever achieve a pure heart with a focus totally on God for all things. For most of us, our spiritual sight comes in stages as we strive to put all things in God’s hands – work, vocation, family, school, leisure, friends. Sometimes we see clearly, sometimes not so much. Most important… are we growing?
Like the ant carrying the contact lens, we may not know the reason why we are carrying the load, but we know and trust the God who has set the task before us.
Invite someone to worship. See you Sunday…
Pastor John Allen
Remember to watch for:
Second Annual Mardi Gras Ladies Tea:
Great fun and fellowship for the women of Stonebridge UMC, February 8, 6:00 pm. Look for sign ups online around the church. Volunteer to help and have even more fun.
The wonderful women of SUMC have been working to organize Stonebridge UMC’s first Chocolate Extravaganza. From now until early February, you’re able to purchase chocolate baked goods as gifts for your loved ones while supporting SUMC! Pick up your order form on Sunday at their tables in the RAC, Main Doors, and East Doors.
Prom season is an exciting time for all high school seniors but especially our senior young women. Unfortunately, some students are unable to afford ball gowns and high heels. This is where McKinney Prom Closet, run by longtime member Stephanie Jackson, steps in to help. From now until late March, please consider donating any gently used dresses, jewelry, high heels, or bags to this wonderful cause. Just stop by SUMC’s office doors and drop off your donation!