Are You A Stumbling Block?

A man was watching his neighbor as he plowed a field with his old mule. Finally, he said, “It would be a whole lot easier if you would just say “gee” and “haw” instead of pulling so hard on the harness trying to control your animal.” The old farmer replied, “This mule kicked me six years ago and I ain’t spoke to him since!” Well, thank goodness we don’t have to contend with hard-headed ole mules out in the field anymore, but I’ll bet you’ve known a few stubborn old two legged mules. I think we all pass through a stubborn streak in life, but for most it doesn’t last long because stubbornness becomes a stumbling block to ones self. It’s not long before we figure out we can get a lot more done with kind words than we can with a “my way or the highway” approach.
A family of four went to worship one Sunday. After they returned to their home and were sitting around the table eating their noontime meal, the father said, “Well, I just didn’t like the preacher’s sermon today.” The mother said, “I liked the sermon alright, but the song leader was all out of tune.” Teenager Frances said, “I enjoyed the singing, but that sermon was long enough to wear out the patients of Job.” Little Johnny piped up, “Daddy, I thought it was a great show, for the dollar you paid.”
[Romans 14: 1 – 15: 6] Do you see the glass half full or half empty? Are you a positive thinker or a negative thinker? Are you a building block to those around you or a stumbling block? As a congregation of God’s people, our theme for the year is “Lead Someone To Heaven” and is a challenge for each member to accomplish in 2007. To get started, we are, at the beginning of this year, working to become more positive, especially in our speech to one another. That means keeping our negative thoughts to ourselves and, stop the gossip. We really need to stop acting like the world. And, maybe our attitude adjustment needs to start before we gather with the church. The following is probably not a positive way to start the week. Wake up late on Sunday morning. Fuss at the children for not getting out of bed rapidly. Hurry through breakfast. Look for your Bible. Yell at your companion, “We’re going to be late!” Fuss at the children for not getting ready fast enough. Drag them to the car. Honk the horn at your spouse. Go back in the house for your contribution check. Arrive late at worship and stumble over people getting into a pew. Glare back at those staring at you. Then focus on the things you don’t like: The temperature is too hot/cold; The songs are too new/old, or too fast/slow; The preacher said “git” instead of “get”; The usual order of worship was changed; Somebody needs to turn the sound up/down; Why can’t the mothers do something about those noisy children; If this service lasts much longer I’m going to miss the kick-off of the football game. Be sure to leave the building without speaking to anyone, but rejoicing in your heart that you fulfilled your duty in worshipping God, and setting the good example to your family. Also, on the drive home, be sure to point out the people playing golf when, “they ought to be in church”. I pray this is not your house, but maybe that’s where some of us need to start with our positive thinking. With this sort of attitude do you think you’re helping others grow the spirit of David when he said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Are you building people up with blocks of love and praise or tripping their faith with stumbling blocks of judgment? Think about it.