Lifting the Rock

This morning, my pastor told a story at the end of his sermon, and it stuck with me. Here’s the story:

There was a little boy trying to pick up a huge rock. His dad was nearby and saw the boy struggling.

“Pick it up, son,” the dad said.

The boy tried and tried, straining and struggling, but still could not lift the rock. He said, “Dad, I can’t pick it up.”

The dad said, “Yes, you can. Use all your strength, all your power.”

The boy tried again, but still could not lift the rock. “Dad, I still can’t do it.”

“You’re not using all your strength,” the dad said.

The boy tried again, using as much strength as he had, and could not lift the rock. He said, “Dad, I’m using everything I have, and I can’t pick it up.”

“Use all your strength.”

“Dad, I am,” he insisted. “I’m using everything.”

“No you’re not because you haven’t asked me. I am your strength. And I will carry this for you.”

We have a God who loves us so much, and we need only come to Him and He will deal gently with us. He is the greatest strength, the greatest power we have, and He offers Himself to us freely. We need only ask. Whatever you have going on, you are not made to carry that. Give it to your Father.