He Built a Road in 22 Years

Dashrath Manjhi by his own hands carved a road through a 300-foot mountain to provide his town access to doctors, education and opportunities.  After his wife fell down and got hurt while trying to cross the mountain that separated two villages, Manjhi sold three goats to buy a hammer and chisel.  He decided to do something to make it safer for his family and those in their village. So from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to evening each day he attacked the mountain—pounding his way through massive rock.  From 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. he plowed the fields of his neighbors to earn enough money to sustain his family.

His brother called him “mad.”  The villagers told him he would never make it but 22 years after starting, Manjhi finished a road that was 25 feet high, 30 feet wide and 360 feet long.  In the Gehlour Hills of the Gaya District in Bihar, India, he is revered as a hero.  You can watch his story at http://omeleto.com/209736/.

If one man by his persistent work could dramatically ease the journey for the people of his town, imagine what you can do by persevering in the work the Lord gives you!  Most people see the rock as impenetrable and give up.  Others start but discouraged by blisters and slow progress quit.  Still others find the criticism of family, friends, and coworkers too much to endure and die to their calling.  But not you! 
 
Meditation
1 Corinthians 15:58—Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
 
Paul the apostle, endured intense suffering to preach and teach the gospel: imprisonments, stoning, five different whippings of 39 lashes by furious countrymen, two rod beatings by the Romans, three shipwrecks—spending a night and day in the open sea, constant danger, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, cold and lacking clothing (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).  Porcius Festus, the governor in Caesarea, told him “You’re out of your mind . . . too much study is driving you mad” (Acts 26:24). Armed with Scripture, filled by the Holy Spirit and driven by a tenacious faith born through his encounter with Christ, Paul’s work would be used by God to change the world.

​Persevere!  Be unwavering.  Steady and resolute do what God asks of you.  Be the person He delights to use for making His road!  Unlike Manjhi, you’ll never be alone or restricted to a hammer and chisel.  The Lord will be with you and will fortify you for success . . . something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
A Christian is one who can live in the midst of the trouble and turmoil with the glory of God indwelling him, while he steadfastly looks not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.—Oswald Chambers in The Message of Invincible Consolation
 
©2015 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)