January 9, 2024 – “Stumbling-Stones, Or Stepping-Stones?”

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” Luke 17:1-4

Have you ever walked with someone who was in constant pain? I have. It hurts just to think of it. My mother lives with constant pain. It affects her mood – it impacts her faith. No one wants to be in constant pain. She talks about her affliction and the depression she feels because of it. My father must offer my mother his utmost patience to help her deal with her pain. I know my father has difficulty knowing that he cannot help her get rid of her pain – and his mood is also affected.

Life will give us all kinds of stumbling stones – the challenge is to see each one as a stepping-stone for our faith. Yes, these epiphanies will not always be immediate, but the longer we endure, the more we trust G-d’s wisdom and plan, the more intimately we rely on the guidance of the light of Christ in our lives, the more each struggle will become a strength. When life gives you a stumbling-stone – ask yourself, “How can I use this as a stepping-stone?”

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, help me to be less a stumbling stone to people’s faith and instead to be a stepping stone to sharing your love.

Pastor Dave