who will roll away the stone

In Mark’s gospel we read about how the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. As they were walking, they asked themselves, “Who will roll away the stone for us?” The heavy stone was in place to keep wild animals out, and to keep the scent of death in. It usually took a couple of big, beefy guys to roll the stone away. The women knew the stone would be too heavy for them to move by themselves. Who would help them?

When they arrived at the tomb, however, they discovered that the stone had already been moved. Who done it? Well, God done it! As is often the case, God does things that we cannot do ourselves.

For months now we have been waiting to get our building permits from the county so we can begin construction on our new building. Every week someone asks me how our building project is going, and every week I tell them “We are waiting for the permits.” It is exasperating.

I am one of those people who carries way too much responsibility. If something goes wrong, I feel it’s my responsibility to fix it. If Mrs. “Jones” can’t hear on Sunday morning, I have to do something about the sound system. If Mrs. “Smith” says the sound is too loud, it’s my problem. If Mrs. “Magillicuddy” sees that her name is spelled wrong in the church directory, I need to take care of it (even though she’s the one with the unspellable name).

So, when we go for months waiting for our building permits, my natural inclination is to want to fix it. I need to do something about this. Who can I get to move this building permit stone? Who do I call? Who can I email? Whose cage do I need to rattle to expedite the process?

This morning, as I was doing my devotion, I was reading from the 16th chapter of Mark. When I came to the bit in verse 3 about “who will roll away the stone?” the words seemed to jump off the page at me.

And then I read verse 4, which tell us that when the women arrived, the stone was already moved. They didn’t have to do a thing. The problem was already solved. I think what God is telling me is that the building permits are not my problem. They are way too big for me to move. I need Him to take care of it. And he will! But first I have to let go.

Now if I can just figure out what to do about Mrs. McGillicuddy.