"Get Out the Shovel!"

“Get Out the Shovel!”

This past September I began serving as an on-call chaplain at our Lakeland hospital. This involves periodic coverage during non-business hours for a week as well as filling in on day shifts when needed. In early December I was working for a colleague who’d been bitten by the flu bug. During my rounds I encountered a patient suffering from liver disease which resulted from (by his own admission) bad life-style choices. His illness had led him to reaffirm his faith so our conversation centered on how God was working in his life. As we talked he commented. “God can move mountains but sometimes He gives us a shovel.”

Since our visit I’ve thought a lot about this down-home bit of wisdom based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:21-22: “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith…you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Obviously we have to ask before we can expect an answer (see James 4:2), but does this mean we’ve fulfilled our responsibility before God once we’ve prayed about a need? Our Lord’s brother speaks to this question: “What good is it…if (someone) claims to have faith but has no deeds? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to (him or her), ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about (his or her) physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17). Ten centuries earlier Solomon echoed this thought by writing, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27). In other words, there are times God wants to use me to answer my own prayers.

Paul tells us we are “…thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17). And in 2 Peter 1:3 we’re assured, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness….”—including a shovel! Is mine ready for use?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(with helpful input from Karen)