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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: OVERLOAD (10/06/16)
“Take this hand-sized rock, place it in your wheel barrel, and climb up the mountain. You need to do this today,” said the Spirit.

Pedro knew this was a message from the Lord, yet he did not understand it. He tossed the rock into his wheel barrel, and his rough-worn hands grabbed the wooden handles and headed toward the mountain.

Reaching the base of the mountain, he looked up in disbelief. How am I to reach the top by today? It is so tall, he asked himself. Step by step, he began his ascent following a mud-rutted spiraling path up the mountain.

Not long into his journey, Pedro saw a small village ahead. Thirsty, he stopped and drew water from the well.

His thirst quenched, he put down the bucket—then a villager asked him, “I see you are headed to the summit. I have this rock that needs to go there too, and your wheel barrel is almost empty. I can’t make it up there today. Will you take it for me?”

Pedro noticed it was larger than his rock—about the size of a cantaloupe. He didn’t think it would make the trek more difficult, so he agreed, considering it a small act of kindness.

He continued his upward journey as hunger pangs grew in his stomach. He came towards a woman selling freshly-made goat cheese and stopped to buy.

She had an even bigger rock, the size of a large watermelon, that she told him also needed to be at the mountain top that day.

“I’m frail and unable to make the journey. Could you help me and take it with you?”

Feeling sorry for her, Pedro agreed. Even though her rock increased his load he kept moving on. With sweat pouring down his face and his back, he stopped to take a rest. This is hard. To help others is good, but I’m overwhelmed, he groaned.

He pushed forward as fatigue escalated by the minute.

A villager saw Pedro and ran to him. “Sir, could you do me a great favor? I have many obligations today, and I’m unable to reach the summit with my landscaping glacier boulder. I see you have room for it in your wheel barrel. Do you mind helping me today? I would be very grateful.”

Pedro agreed with great reluctance. This “helping others” was wearing a bit thin, and the boulder really added to the load, slowing him down to snail-pace.

The sun had begun to set when he finally reached the summit, where the Spirit was waiting for him.

“Why was this such a rough task?” Pedro asked.

“Because you carried more than I asked of you. You were kind-hearted as you helped those who said they could not make it today. What was the task?”

“Take my rock to the summit today.”

“Is that what you did?”

“Kind of. What was I supposed to do, especially with the frail woman?”

“You took on more than I asked and look at what it got you. You’re exhausted from the harder journey. You were kind, and a bit naïve, when you helped others. You had a goal to achieve and made it much harder on yourself. To your own detriment, you made the burden so much harder than it was intended to be.”

“What should I have done?”

“Everyone represented moments when the evil one sidetracked your progress. You have the power to decline others’ requests. Becoming a transporter for others’ rocks and boulders interfered with the task. They took advantage of you.”

The Spirit continued, “This theme is constantly recurring in your life. Others, who will always try to get someone to do their work, are highly capable. It’s not your job to do theirs, for even an innocent request can snowball and cause you to be overwhelmed and stressed out.” The Spirit urged that those quick to ask for help need to become more responsible.

Pedro was amazed at the enlightenment from the Spirit. “Wow! I needed to be reminded of this to prevent the evil one from tripping me up. This has been quite a lesson.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Robyn Harbour
10/14/16
great story. In Christian circles it is generally 20% of the people doing 80% of the work in the church and community. Thanks for a reminder that we need to be wise and smart and only do what God asks us to do.
Wendy Godwin
10/14/16
A very refreshing perspective on this topic. God used this to speak to my heart.
Ann Stocking
10/16/16
Excellent message and well-written!
(One tiny correction... wheelbarrow. )
Jennifer Woodley 
10/16/16
This story reminds me of how mothers often become the transporter for their teenagers, who are really quite capable (but often too lazy) to do the work themselves. Transporters are rescuers, who are obstructing the Spirit of God working in other people's lives. Great story.
Brenda Rice
10/17/16
Well written, informative, creative use of topic. Thanks for sharing.
Wendy Godwin
10/20/16
Congratulations on your EC win. I loved how you showed a fresh perspective on this topic. It was refreshing for many Christians who take on so much more, maybe, than the Lord has for them.
Noel Mitaxa 
10/20/16
Congratulations on your EC, Judy. You're moving on up...
Francie Snell 
10/21/16
Such a valuable lesson. Sometimes we have to just say no.
Congratulations on your much deserved win Judy.
Bea Edwards 
11/15/16
Unique and challenging Challenge entry. Well written and profound. Thank you.