The Joy of the Journey: Stones

The Joy of the Journey: Stones

Life is full of immovable burdens that feel like sealed tombs in our hearts. Whether it’s a diagnosis, a broken relationship, financial problems, or emotional pain, we’ve all faced situations that seemed too heavy to move. But the good news of the gospel is this: God still moves stones.  When Mary Magdalene and the other women went to Jesus’ tomb on the third day, they had a practical concern. “And they were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’” Mark 16:3. The stone was large, too heavy for them to move. They had no answer to this problem, but they went and faced the issue anyway.

Their question is the same question we have when we face the impossible. Who will roll away the stone? Who will deal with the heartache, fear, disappointment, sickness, or even the sin that seems unmovable in our lives? But notice what happened when they arrived: “And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large” Mark 16:4. The thing they feared had already been handled by God.

This is not just a resurrection story; it’s a present reality for every believer. God still moves stones today.  It is not always in the way we expect, but always with perfect timing and for His glory.  Let’s look at a few of the stones that might be blocking our way to living.

One of the heaviest stones we carry is the weight of sin and guilt. But Jesus came to roll that stone away through His sacrifice. Paul writes, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:13–14. Through the cross and the empty tomb, we are no longer imprisoned. The stone of condemnation has been moved.  We’re standing in a situation already handled by Jesus on the cross if we recognize it.  Romans 8:1 reminds us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. We may struggle with guilt, but God has declared us forgiven. He has rolled away the stone that separated us from Him.

Another stone we often face is the stone of fear.  This could be fear about the future, about our children, about the unknown. But Scripture repeatedly reminds us of God’s presence and power. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.  God doesn’t just command us not to fear—He promises to be our strength. The stone may look huge, but He is greater still. He moves in our circumstances and in our hearts, replacing fear with faith.

The stone of hopelessness often brings despair and defeat in our lives.  Sometimes, we feel like the situation is dead and buried. But the resurrection reminds us that even death isn’t final with God. Jesus said to Martha, grieving the loss of her brother, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” John 11:25. Moments later, He raised Lazarus, showing that God’s timing is never too late.  God isresurrection power! He brings beauty from ashes, life from death, and hope from despair. The stone is not the end of the story…it’s the beginning of something new.

In conclusion, we must trust the stone mover in our lives.  The women who went to the tomb had no plan; all they had was faith. And they discovered that God had already gone ahead of them. That’s a powerful lesson for us. We may not know how the stone will be moved, but we know the One who moves it.

A simple reminder is found in these words, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6  Stones are no match for a God who can raise the dead and redeem the broken.  Whatever stone lies before you, remember, God still moves stones. Let your faith rise, not because of your strength, but because of His. The tomb is empty, the stone is rolled away, and hope lives on.