As I approached the table, I saw that Stan had a bandage on his head. “What happened?” I asked as I sat down.
“I was taking a walk yesterday,” Stan replied, “and I stumbled over a part of the sidewalk that was raised up because of some tree roots. I wasn’t paying enough attention and took a big fall.”
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“No permanent damage that I know of,” Stan responded. “Spent a few hours at the Emergency Room and everything checked out fine.”
“Did it hurt much?” I asked.
“Some,” he replied, “but what hurt more was the lesson God had for me from this.”
“What lesson was that?” I replied.
“God opened me to see how much I can hurt others when I cause them to stumble in their walk with God.”
“You cause people to stumble? How?”
“I don’t mean to do it,” Stan said, “but I know that too often there are things that come out of my mouth, or things that I do or don’t do, that may cause another person to stumble in his or her walk toward a deeper relationship with God.”
Continuing, he said, “As far as I know, my stumble yesterday did not cause any permanent damage to me, but I also know that when I cause another believer to stumble it may permanently damage that person’s walk with God. And God definitely has something to tell me about that.”
“What?” I asked.
“Don’t,” was Stan’s one-word answer.
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Determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. Romans 14:13.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for showing me what you do and do not want in the area of causing other believers to stumble in their walk with you. I confess that too often I cause such stumbling by what I say or don’t say, and by what I do or don’t do. Please forgive all of those failings. And please, Lord, lead me in never causing others to stumble in their walk towards a deeper relationship with you. Lead and help me to follow. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 