Little Obstacles, Big God

by Jeff Pitts

We got a “Pandemic Puppy” like most of the rest of the world. While the world had essentially stopped, our family (truly our kids) thought it was the perfect moment to get a dog. Winston Bishop Pitts has been a full family member for over a year now. Winston is half Yorkshire Terrier and half Jack Russell—his demeanor reflects both.

Much like Superman, Winston can leap over tall couches in a single bound. Yet, the other day while I was doing some DIY projects in the hallway, I preferred that Winston keep his paws out of the paint. So, I set up a little baby gate. Now let us reflect: the dog can clear the entire couch with a single jump. The baby gate is only 18 inches tall. Yet, Winston glared and barked and growled at this little obstacle.

The truth of the matter is he could have pounced over the gate at any moment, but he never did. He just complained again and again over the gate that stood between him and the hallway.

Often in the Old Testament, there is a reflection back to the Red Sea Crossing which serves as a remembrance of how great Yahweh was to Israel. Pardon the crude connection, but God’s Red Sea moment is like Winston leaping over the couch in a single bound. Yet, over and over, Israel finds itself with lesser obstacles and in more trouble. Israel has a God on their side who parts seas but finds themselves often complaining of smaller challenges.

This sounds a little like us.

My theology leads me to believe that the Lord allows obstacles to test our faith and trust in Him (see Job). Other times, I think our choices and decisions lead us down paths toward challenges of our own making. We sit in front of that gate in our life like Winston, barking and complaining about the challenge in front of us, when on our side is God that can either remove the gate or get us over it. We just fail to call on Him.

The Old Testament reflection of the Red Sea was never a moment to state that God would duplicate the miracle. It is not a literal stand at your local river, grab a stick, and see if God will make a dry way. It serves as an anchoring point that no obstacle is too big for God. It serves as a reminder that when caught between drowning and death, God can make a way through. It was always to be a reminder that between God and obstacles, God wins.

The prophet Isaiah set out to remind Israel of the big miracle: Isaiah 43:16-19. The Lord via the prophet was saying,

“Remember that Red Sea obstacle? Yeah, I took care of that. Now forget it, because I am going to do something new.” He was not saying to forget who parted the Red Sea. He wants them to remember the who, just not get stuck on the what.

Sometimes, we get so caught in what God has done that we fail to see what He is wanting to do. The only reason to reflect on what God has done in our past is to serve as a reminder of His power in the present. I think we all need to get a little forgetful, not in His power but the process. The miracle of today, the removing or maneuvering through the obstacle you face now will not be performed the same way as before, but the power of God to do the miracle remains the same.

So, as you stare at the gate like Winston, remember what is possible with God. Are you going to complain or trust in what God is capable of doing in your present? Do not let the little things keep you from the big things God has for you.

About The Author Jeff Pitts pastors The Collectives Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. He is also the co-host of The Leadership Drip podcast. He is an avid coffee drinker and die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He lives in Cleveland with his wife Rachael.