Hammer Swings
January 22, 2009 by pastorstjohn
Filed under Weekly Words
Dear friend,
Do you ever wonder if you are making a difference for Christ? Amy Carmichael, the long time missionary to India, heard an illustration which became a great source of comfort in her ministry. Someone asked Amy, “If you beat a rock with a sledge hammer 100 times and then the rock breaks, which swing broke the rock?” Of course each swing was necessary.
This is a great way to think about ministering to others. Perhaps you have tried to encourage your non-christian friend or family member to trust Jesus, but they will not bend the knee before Him. Maybe you have repeatedly warned your Christian brother or sister to turn away from some dangerous sin, but they have not yet repented. Remember, no matter what the results are, each attempt is important. Each opportunity you have to share the truth of God’s word is a swing of the hammer and one day that last swing will land. Perhaps you will not even be there. Someone else might land the last blow, but the Lord is using all your swings!
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6).
Your servant,
Stephen
Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder