Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 Today, Ellie and I were walking around the neighborhood. Usually, on these walks, I let her stop and smell whatever she wants within the six-foot length of her leash. She was busy exploring something in the grass when my eye spotted the root.

This root had obviously come from the tree a couple feet away.  It had probably been tiny when it encountered the sidewalk. Instead of changing direction, it continued directly into the space between two slabs of concrete.  There, it grew and grew until it became embedded between a "rock and a hard place," as it were.

The root didn't die; it continued to grow where it found itself. It did what it was made to do, which was to find soil and nutrients to send back to the tree to keep it healthy and alive.  Not only did it NOT die, it grew!  It thrived!

This little root really touched my heart.  It was doing what God made it to do. Period.

I thought of how many times the Lord has placed me in hard places.  How many times have I responded with complaints, tears, or feeling unjustly treated?  

I realize I should be more like this little root, just doing what the Lord has made and called me to do, which is to "with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6.)

There are times in our lives when the Lord needs to put us into some very hard places.  They may be places of pain, solitude, or frustration. We will not like it; our emotions may cry out, our bodies may hurt, and our minds may not be able to understand it.  But still, in all of that, the Lord has a purpose for us being there.  One is this:

"And call upon me in the day of trouble:  

I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."  Psalm 50:15.

"Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires," Isaiah 24:15.

As we glorify Him in our troubles, He strengthens us, and we are more able to call upon Him in the next trouble.  And we are more able to strengthen those around us who are also in the cracks of life. 

We will not in this lifetime escape the troubles this world brings. As the Scriptures tell us, "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward," (Job 5:7.)  But they also tell us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," (Psalm 46:1.)

So, as the "sparks fly upward" in our lives let us seek that one Refuge and Strength that never fails.  In doing so, we will be like that little root, pleased to be between a rock and a hard place because we know the Lord has sent us there for His purpose and His purpose is always the very best for our lives.