“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

How easily we get caught up in earthly troubles and hurts. So easily that we forget our place in the world. Human pain feels so intense and, at times, absolutely intolerable. It can be very difficult to remember that we have the peace of Christ available to us at all times, especially when we’re in the throes of our deepest pain. As I sat in church Sunday listening to the much needed words of our Worship Pastor, I knew I was hearing exactly what I needed to hear to help me calm the waters of my spirit.

He was discussing the story of Lazarus, and how Jesus arrived to see His ailing friend four days after he’d passed away and been placed in a tomb. Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb, and once there, asked that the stone blocking the entrance be removed. The sisters of Lazarus tried to dissuade Jesus from His wish to have the stone removed, as they believed it too late, and they knew that an awful stench would be waiting on the other side. Still, Jesus insisted. So, with the help of others who were present to mourn the loss of their friend and brother, they removed the stone.

Of course, we all know the story from there…Jesus told Lazarus to arise and come out, and he did exactly that. But that’s not what struck me most. The pastor made a point of emphasizing how heavy that stone was, and that one person was not able to move the stone out of the way by themselves. The scripture says, “So they took away the stone.” (John 11:41). THEY took away the stone. From there the pastor asked us what was the stone in our own lives standing between us and our Savior?

That’s quite a doozy of a question, isn’t it? We all have stumbling blocks, and most of them won’t cause us to fall down and stay down. But, most of us, at one time or another, have something standing between us and the peace that comes with placing all our faith and trust in Christ. Whether it’s scars left by a traumatic event, anger at someone you love, feelings of worthlessness because of some worldly mold you feel you don’t fit into, or fear of forgiving someone who hurt you, there is a stone between you and the peace you so desire.

Just as it was with the stone blocking the tomb of Lazarus, God blesses our lives with people who are meant to help us move our own stones out of the way. Frequently, we need help identifying what the stones are to begin with, otherwise we won’t know what it is standing in our way. If you’re afraid to take the time and open yourself to the risk of recognizing your stone, how can God ever help you move it out of the way? If you keep a distance between you and your “they,” perhaps that is part of the stone, right there.

“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” Galatians 6:2 AMP