Faith | Help move ‘boulders’ standing in the way of a better life

“God says, “Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so, my people can return from captivity.” (Isaiah 57:14, NLT)

The rock was massive — about the size of a VW bug. It was certainly bigger than Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson.

Heavy rain had loosened the mountainside, causing the huge rock to slide several yards downhill, completely blocking the trail, and posing a dangerous obstacle for backpackers and horse riders.

My partner, Rex, and I had been camped about a mile away. Our boss had instructed us to take some dynamite and a fuse and blast the rock off the trail. No problem, right?

Our plan was to light the fuse and take off in opposite directions. And that’s what we did.

Reaching my designated safe place, I checked my watch and waited for the blast. Two minutes passed, and nothing happened. After another 15 seconds, I told myself, “The fuse must have gone out!”

(Famous last words.)

I had no sooner stepped out of my hiding place when the whole mountain seemed to explode. And then it started raining huge chunks of rock, dirt and debris.

Rex and I met back at the site, ears ringing and speechless with wonder. What was left of the boulder lay far down in the bottom of the ravine below us. All that remained was a shallow indentation where it had rested.

But now the trail was clear, and with some quick shovel work, people and horses could safely travel down into the canyon.

I’ve thought a lot about that moment, and the lessons about clearing the obstacles that keep people from real life and freedom in Christ. The barriers and stumbling blocks men and women encounter in life can be daunting, intimidating things that keep them locked up in physical and spiritual captivity.

The Hebrew word Isaiah uses for “rock” in our opening verse is mikshôwl. It’s a dark and sinister term, referring to “offense, misfortune, or a calamity that becomes a hindrance to the restoration of people.”

The psalmist, David, who faced some giant obstacles of his own, wrote of the Lord, “He restores my soul.” And when we encounter Jesus in the gospels, we find him with sleeves rolled up, busy in that restoration business—healing the sick and diseased, feeding the hungry, infusing courage into despairing hearts, and setting people free from devilish torment.

People in Christian ministry these days don’t have much use for dynamite. But there is a curious connection to explosives found in some of the final earthly words of Jesus, in Acts 1:8.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)

The Greek word “power” in this passage is “dýnamis.” And it is where we English speakers get our word dynamite. But Jesus wasn’t referring to blowing up granite boulders. He was calling his people to exercise his truth and kindness against entrenched systems of darkness, and speak out for justice against ideologies that spread fear.

He commissioned his followers to protect the neglected, abused, and vulnerable, and to announce his Good News. He held out hope to the pressed down, bound-up, and hemmed-in—men and women locked up by anything that holds them captive.

The power Jesus highlighted that day comes from the Holy Spirit.

Don’t look for it anywhere else—not in programs, formulas, committees, governments, or pious cliches. It is the kind of witness that prays and loyally believes in the resurrection life of Messiah Jesus to make anyone a new creation.

And it is expressed in word and deed.

That is the kind of power that truly moves mountains.