The Rock
There is a story told by a father to his daughter Mary, about a man who was asleep one night in his cabin, when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told him he had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock, explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This man did, and for many days toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulder set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the 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.
Suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told him he had a work for him to do...
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture, placing thoughts in the mans mind such as, "Why kill yourself over this, you're never going to move it." or "Boy, you've been at it here for a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface," etc. giving the man the impression that his task was impossible and that he was an unworthy and unprofitable servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.
These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. "Why kill yourself" he thought, "I'll just put in my time, putting forth just the minimum and that will be good enough." And that he did or at least planned on doing until he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.
"Lord" he said "I have labored long and hard in thy service, putting forth all my strength to do that which you have asked me, yet after all this time I haven't even budged that rock half a millimeter! What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend...When long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength, and that you have done. But never once did I mention unto you that I expected you to move it! At least not all by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you have come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed and ready to quit. But is that really so? Look at yourself, your arms strong and muscled, your back sinewed and brown, your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and you ability now far surpasses that which you used to have, yet you still haven't succeeded in moving the rock, and you come to me with a heavy heart and your strength spent, I MY FRIEND WILL MOVE THE ROCK. Your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom, and this you have done."