A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room was filled with light, and the Lord told the man that he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might every day!
The man did so, day after day. For several days he toiled from dawn to dusk, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain as the rock simply didn’t budge even an inch!!! But he persisted.
Since the man was showing slight discouragement, the ‘Satan’ decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into his weary tired mind. “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved. You’ve been fooled by God! The task is impossible and you’re a failure.”
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan continued, “Why kill yourself over this? Just give minimum effort, and that will be good enough. Then come & enjoy life with me.”
That’s what the man planned to do as the ‘monkey mind’ played mischief & he was completely influenced by the Satan, but decided to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing? Why have you asked me to do this?"
The Lord responded compassionately, “My dear fellow, I told you that your task was just to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it! Your task was just to push. That’s all & that you’ve done successfully!!!”
“And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown; your legs have become massive and hard. Your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Your task was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my child, will move the rock.” Announced God triumphantly!!!
The Man simply bowed in reverence & humility!
PS: What actually God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. We should not waver - having devotion today, tomorrow seeking sensual gratification, and then the day after, back to devotion again. When something goes wrong, we are filled with despair. When discipline is enforced, we start holding back, and when love is showered, we are first again. This dual attitude must be given up. SATHYA SAI BABA
Pray Until Something Happens!
(Compiled from ‘Radio Sai Journals…might be a repeat but worth it…)
A FEW RESPONSES…
1. Thanks for SQ- it is a great pleasure to read it and to remember it - these stories I can use in my classes - a good way to make my pupils think and remember - hopefully to change their consciousness
Angelika Holler
2. Dear Sai Brother, hope there is no auther's rights on your prayer, because I'm using it, may God pay you in full for this beautiful prayer you have shared with us. Om sai ram
Frances
3. Dear Sir,
This is very useful story. Quite often we see that people try to
hurt each other, whether it is in public transport or in office. One
person speaks very badly to other, because of which his Ego gets hurt tremendously & he retaliates, by speaking badly of the former.
The former returns the garbage & this continues to happen. Those people who happen to hear this are disgusted.
Reading this story, we understand that we should ignore the
garbage, & not try to retaliate but forget it.
Sai Bhakta.
VAIBHAV
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