Laurie's Ant and God's Shoe

This is part of a worship that one of my deans gave in the girls dorm. It really touched me, so I thought I would share it.

 

I (Laurie) was sitting on a rock out by Seton Lake and there was a little ant crawling on the ground by the rock. The little ant was carrying a leaf about twice her size and was obviously struggling. As I watched her pull and tug and drag the leaf through the dirt I wanted to help her. “Little ant,” I said, “little ant, can I help you? I can take your load. I’m really big and it would be easy for me to carry it for you. See, here’s my hand. I could even pick you up and carry you where you want to go.” But the little ant just kept pulling and tugging and dragging her leaf through the dirt, she didn’t even pause to look up. 

I continued to watch her stumble along until she reached my shoe. If an ant has ever sighed with discouragement, this one did.  My shoe was yet another impossible obstacle in her path.  Again I tried to offer her assistance, but she didn’t notice. She was too occupied with her great big burden.

Many times I am carrying a big burden: my past, my sins, my sorrows. I struggle through this dirty world trying to carry something twice my size. It is heavy, and I stumble and trip and fall. It is hard. Yet all the while God is calling to me, “Little child! Little child, can I help you? I can take your load. I’m really big and it would be easy for me to carry it for you. See, here’s my hand. I could even pick you up and carry you where you want to go.” Sadly, I often am too busy trying to carry my load on my own to notice Him trying to help me.  Many times I come to something huge and think it is just another discouraging obstacle when really it is God’s shoe. If I were to just raise my eyes I would see God smiling down at me and offering me His hand.

“ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-31 KJV)