Get Off The Nail

I read this story recently. I don’t know if it is true or not, but it sure does speak to a need in our world.

One day a man was walking down the street on his way to work. As he walked down the street, there were dogs on just about every front porch and they all would bark as the man walked passed them. However, there was one dog that he remembered, because this dog was just sitting there and he was whimpering and whining and moaning, you know the little whimpering sounds dogs make when they are wounded or in some sort of pain. Well, this particular dog was just sitting there on the front porch making those sounds. The man was curious as to why this dog wasn't barking like the other dogs and why he was whimpering. He couldn't figure it out, so he just kept walking to work. The next day he was in the same situation where he was walking down the street and saw the dogs once again and this same dog that was moaning and groaning the other day was doing the same thing today and he just couldn't figure it out. Well, he walked passed for an entire week and everyday the dog would be there moaning and groaning. So, finally, the guy got fed up, he said, "let me find out what's going on."

So he went and knocked on the door and a guy came out and said, "Yes, how may I help you?"
He said, "Sir, is this your dog?"
"Yes, that's my dog."
"Well, what's wrong with him?"
The owner of the dog said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, he's been sitting here moaning and groaning, whimpering and whining for an entire week. The rest of the dogs are barking, your dog should be barking too, why is he moaning and groaning?"
The owner said, "Well, he's actually sitting on a nail."
And the guy said, "What! Your dog is sitting on a nail. Why doesn't he get off?"
"Well, it just doesn't hurt him enough."

That’s sounds too much like people we have all known (of course we’ve never been that person :). They are stuck at a place in life that is painful and can’t seem to get out of it. They probably won’t until the pain of not changing exceeds the pain of changing. But you don’t have to wait that long. You can make the change today. I have your attention now. What’s the answer you say? You are looking for a quick, easy fix. A cure all end all. It’s really very simple. Choose to change.

In the book of Joshua in the Bible, Joshua is about to die. As he prepares to leave this life he calls all Israel together. He reminds tells them that he has divided by lot all the remaining country to them, and then proceeds to recount all the blessings of God in giving them victory over all their enemies. I am sure by now there are many that are comfortable and whining about change. Then he begins to prophesy “Thus saith the Lord,” and God, through Joshua, reminds them how He fought their battles for them, that it wasn’t their strength and prowess it was His mighty hand that had given them the land and expelled their enemies before them. Near the end of the two chapters (in verse 15 of chapter 24) Joshua throws down the gauntlet. "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve — and DO IT TODAY...” (MSG emphasis mine) It was an ultimatum. Evidently there had been some talk that maybe the “gods” of those around them were a better way. It was just easier to do that than to cause trouble. But Joshua had had enough (he’s old and cranky and about to die for Pete’s sake!) and said, “Choose, and DO IT TODAY!”

I think some of you need to get fed up with the nail and the pain it causes you. You need change in your life, but it will never come until you choose to do it. The decision is yours. You will choose to do it when the pain of sitting on the nail exceeds the pain of change. How long will it take you? I challenge you with Joshua, “Make the choice and DO IT TODAY!”

Now, I know it is dangerous to throw something like this out without the time and space to be more definitive. Lest you take this and twist it to fit your wrong desires let me say, If the nail is a spouse this is not permission to leave them and divorce them. It is encouragement for you to change what you need to change in your life. It is simply amazing how other people change when I do.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for just sitting on the nail complaining about the pain of life. I ask you today for the courage to choose my destiny TODAY, to choose You first of all to be first in my life and then to make the right choices You lead me to each day of my life. I love You, Lord, and I’m so blessed to know You will walk through these changes in my life with me. Thank you. AMEN.

Blessings!
Pastor Roger