“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Transformation – that’s what it’s all about. Seems to me transformation is a quite painful and possibly lengthy process. Unless maybe you’re Cinderella. Her transformation was quick and painless. With the wave of a wand, Cinderella’s rags turned into a beautiful ballgown fit for a princess. Of course, this was an outward, not an inward transformation. Maybe that’s why no pain, hard work and time were involved in her transformation. BUT – true transformation, change that comes from the inside out, is painful and does take time. Isn’t that why we say, “No pain – no gain!”?

Turning weapons (swords and spears) into useful tools certainly took some time, hard work and would have involved intense pain if swords or spears either one had feelings. Fortunately for them they don’t. So the process that transforms swords and spears into useful tools is painless. Not so for me in my transformational journey. I desire to be transformed from a stumbling block into a steppingstone. Why? Well, here’s what God has to say about stumbling blocks in His word.

“Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.’ ” (Luke 17:1)

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)

A stumbling block is something people trip over, something that brings them down. God doesn’t want me to be that stone that causes someone to stumble and fall, making it more difficult for them to follow after Jesus than it would otherwise be. God wants me to help people in their pursuit of Him, not hinder them. To this end, it is better that I become a steppingstone on the path that leads to Him. Sure, I will get walked on. By definition, that’s the sole purpose of a steppingstone – to help people get from one place to another place safely, by letting them walk across you to their destination.

Think of steppingstones across a stream. If they do their job well, I won’t even get my feet wet and I’ll get to the other side without falling into the water, which could be dangerous. Steppingstones are lifesavers. Stumbling blocks are people’s downfall, literally and figuratively. BUT – in order to turn me from a stumbling block into a steppingstone, God has to humble me. Instead of standing up, blocking the way and obscuring the view for other people on the path to God, I have to lay down. I have to lay down my rights, my wants and my ways. Stepping stones, not stumbling blocks, give others a level path to God and a clear view of how to get there.

Fortunately, I have an excellent role model of how this “laying down of self thing” is done – Jesus, Himself. Jesus is my steppingstone to God, mine and yours too, dear readers. Jesus made this clear when He said,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

BUT – in order to do this for us, Jesus had to lay down His life for me and for you, for everyone. Jesus laid down His life in order to become for all of humanity The Steppingstone to our Creator, God. Paul describes it this way in Philippians, saying –

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Jesus, Himself, acknowledged what He did, saying –

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

The sheep – that’s you and I, dear readers! Jesus continues –

“The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

Stumbling blocks stand up. They block the way for others. Steppingstones lie down. They pave the way for others. Stumbling blocks are in the way. Steppingstones are the way. Or more accurately, they are a part of the way, a part of the path people walk upon on their way to Jesus. When stumbling blocks humble themselves and lay down, they become steppingstones on the path that leads to eternal life.

Steppingstones are not necessarily noticed as people walk over them to get safely where they’re going. Stumbling blocks are noticed however, although usually too late to be avoided. Refusing to lay down themselves, they cause others to fall down when they trip over an unyielding stumbling block.

Remember that saying – “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”? Well, I think perhaps it could be said that – “the road to heaven is paved with steppingstones who, like Jesus, have laid down their lives in obedience to God’s call, so that other’s can walk on them safely to get to Jesus.

My transformation from stumbling block to steppingstone is ongoing. I often need God’s reminder to humble myself and lay down so as not to be an impediment to someone else. Transformation involves hard work, pain and time. There is no magic wand – BUT God does all the necessary work to accomplish this miraculous change that I so desire. I have this promise from His word –

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

God Himself is turning me slowly, painfully, one day at a time, from a stumbling block into a steppingstone – a steppingstone He can use for His good purposes. Only God can accomplish such miraculous transformations. I read in Psalms and Isaiah about an ultimate transformation that God brought about –

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22-23)

“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’ ” (Isaiah 28:16)

I want to be a steppingstone to The Cornerstone, The Capstone, The Tested Stone – which is Jesus, the sure foundation of my faith. No greater joy than to lay down and join other fellow steppingstones on the path to life, so that others can step on us as they make their way to Jesus. Lord, help me to stay surrendered as a steppingstone to You.

sincerely, Grace Day