4 Mar

Stone Face

posted by Mike Blackaby

I can’t play real golf, but I’m pretty good at the kid’s version. I remember a mini golf course I went to with my family while on vacation. It was amazing! There were castles, pirate ships, and windmills. It was like walking into a fantasy world!

By the time we got to the last hole, it was dark outside. The final hole consisted of a long stretch of turf leading up to a giant statue that looked like it came from a temple deep in the Amazon. It was a huge stone head, and the goal was to shoot your ball straight down the turf into a small hole at the base.

My entire family tried but each of them missed and lost their ball to the gutter. Then, it was my turn. Knowing that you usually got a prize if you made the final shot, I looked around to see if anyone could see me, then picked up my ball and ran down the turf. I reached across the gutter and dropped my ball in the hole. Nothing happened. Maybe I just have to tell them on the way out and collect my prize? But how do I prove it?

Disappointed, I turned and started to walk back. That’s when the statue came to life. I heard a deep, rumbling voice boom from behind me. “Who disturbs my slumber?” Help me mother! I turned around and saw the eyes of the possessed statue glow red and watched steam start to rise. I started running for my life! I was about halfway back when the statue shot water from its mouth with the force of a fire hose! I fell to the ground, drenched, and crawled to safety. Of course, my family (and every other golfer within 100 yards) was laughing hysterically! I had to ride back to the hotel soaking wet. And what’s more—I never did get my prize.

Like that deceptive stone face, people keep a whole lot hidden away. Ask someone how they are doing and, more than likely, they will say “fine” even if their life is in shambles. Just like that statue, they may seem fine on the outside, but there is more brewing beneath the surface. We may only find out they are hurting once it all bursts out!

Jesus had a way of seeing past the mask, and I believe it came from His walk with the Father. Can God see deep into people’s lives? Does He know what people are struggling with? I know He does, and I believe He will guide us in our relationships with each other if we let Him. Let’s ask God to help us look deeper and see people through the eyes of Jesus, because people need Christians who see beneath the surface.

Filed in: Journey, Relationship

About the Author

Mike Blackaby is a 22 year old student who plays guitar in a rock band, loves to snowboard, play hockey, and cheers for the Colorado Avalanche. He is terrified of spiders, but loves reading fantasy novels, watching movies, taking road trips, building camp fires, and will do any roller coaster if someone goes with him. You can contact him via Facebook.

Read more about Mike here.