Tear Down These Walls

My friend Andrew was telling me about a story that he wrote in his English class. The story spoke of a man traveling on a journey that produced tremendous obstacles, such as him fighting off a giant bear that came across his path, and also amazing gifts, like a golden cup buried in the dust, but somehow perfectly spotless and valuable. The story continued on as the man overcame many trials and rewards, but at the end of the story the man comes upon a wall stretching forever to the east and west, and reaching too high to climb. The story ends with him facing the wall, wondering how to get past it to continue on the journey. When Andrew finished the story he was frustrated with the fact that he couldn’t figure out a way to finish it with the man triumphantly making it past the sturdy wall that stood in his pathway. As we talked, we figured out that Christ was the only way to get past this wall, but how he was going to accomplish this, we didn’t know. When I saw him later on that day, he was excited to tell me of the wisdom our friend Felix had revealed to him. He said, “When we come to walls in life, those are the times when we have to rely on God the most. There is nothing in our power that we can do to get past it. Only God has the power to tear down the wall that block us from knowing him better.” It’s us, fully surrendering to God, which allows the wall in front of us to fall. So, Andrew said that was the reason he couldn’t finish his story. It’s not his place in life to figure out how God’s going to bring the wall down. He is, as are we, only called to lay down his life to God, asking for His will and nothing else. Only God is big enough for the task breaking the barriers in our lives. All of this got me thinking about what I try to do for God. How often do I put God in a box, telling Him that He is only allowed to answer a certain prayer if He does it this certain way only. Or do I ask “please let me surrender my life to you, as long as I can keep control of this one particular area.” Do I not trust the God of the Universe to faithfully lead me through every part of life? Why is it so important for me to create the perfect husband in my head, or decide where I want to live when I graduate, or have the career that I want to have? Who am I in comparison to God? Let’s stop putting the Maker of the Heavens in our tiny little box and let Him work miracles in our lives. Stop doubting His power, and learn to embrace the mightiness of His hands. Our God is greater and stronger than anything blocking the Light that radiates from His glory. Trust Him, and your walls will come down.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” –Proverbs 3:5-7 -