Leaping Lizards

When I first moved to Texas I noticed that the outside brick walls seemed to be moving. To my surprise they were lizards blending in with the brick design. They were quick, able to speed across the wall, and then vanish as they leaped unto the trees. Once on the trees their skin camouflages with the bark. Lizards love insects. As a result of this, these lizards become territorial to guard their eating terrain. When two male Texan spiny lizards have a dispute for a territory, their testosterone kicks in and they have a Texas style feud. They actually have a real push up contest. Winner take all, loser goes and looks for another territory. The Texan spiny lizard grows from 7 to 11 inches long. There are many types of lizards with various names like Anole, Skink, Whiptails, Racerunners, Iguanas, and Geckos.

Years ago I had a lizard tank. I did everything possible to make the tank feel like home. It had greenery, heated stones on one end and a natural looking bowl with water on the other end. Gravel and bark on the bottom. One tree branch that went across the center. Over the top screen, I had a hooded lamp with natural ultraviolet lighting. The lizards were content. Everyday they received their daily supply of grasshoppers, daily supply of water, daily supply of lighting. I thought they loved their habitat. While I was away, I asked my mom to take care of the lizards. She did a great job, until one day, she forgot to make sure that the screen was completely secured over the top.

When I arrived home, there were only two lizards in the tank that were content with their habitat. The other fourteen where missing. For the next week, I had to chase the geckos off the ceilings, anoles off the walls, and the racerunners out of the closet. One lizard was cozy inside one of my church shoes. In all, I could only find nine of my runaway lizards. The remaining five were never found. I learned a valuable lesson. No matter how wonderful the tank looked for the lizards, there is no place like home. Somehow the five lizards were able to break through the barriers and were freed from the confinements of a glass tank.

I have seen lizards climb up outside walls, over the roof, and on to the other side of the house. Others scramble around the house walls and get to the backside. Lizards, when they see barriers, they figure a way around it, over it, under it, and at times through it. They don’t allow walls or barriers to stop them.

Very often in life, when we hit a barrier, we think that we can’t go any further. When we are confronted with a roadblock, barricade, or an obstruction we stop because we figure that we can’t proceed. I remember when I was applying to Atlantic Union College. I had no money, no job, and no financial support from the family. I was told that I could never attend a Christian College. It was just too expensive. However, we have a God that can break any barrier. I asked God to help me overcome the hurdle that was before me. He did. Four years later when I graduated, I put on my original sneakers that I had when I walked up to the registrar’s office. In my pocket I had one dollar and a few coins as I came to the window on the second floor of the Ad building. I remember reporting to my first job, then to my first advisor, then to the finance office for clearance. When the day was completed, I was an official student. I looked down at my broken sneakers as tears came down my face. It was tears of Joy. Somehow, for some reason, God broke down those obstacles. The sneakers were a reminder that I was to never forget. That “with God, all things are possible.”

How is your life? Are their any walls? Are you facing barriers, obstacles, or roadblocks that seem insurmountable? Have you arrived at the sign before you which says “turnaround, you will never make it anyway?” I want you to know, that there is no wall, no roadblock, no obstruction that cannot be overcome. Jesus says in Matthew 19:26“…with men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible.” In Philippians 4:13 the word of the Lord says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” When you face the giant like David, when you face the surrounding army like Elisha, when you face the walls of Jericho like Joshua, when you face the lions like Daniel, remember God. By yourself you can’t overcome, but with Him, all things are possible.

Here are some insights. “Whenever man accomplishes anything, whether in spiritual or in temporal lines, he should bear in mind that he does it through co-operation with his maker. There is great necessity for us to realize our dependence on God. Too much confidence is placed in man, too much reliance on human inventions. There is too little confidence in the power which God stands ready to give. ‘We are laborers together with God.’ 1 Corinthians 3:9. Immeasurably inferior is the part which the human agent sustains; but if he is linked with divinity of Christ, he can do all things through the strength that Christ imparts.” Christ Object Lessons p.82

May God bless you this Sabbath, as you and God together overcome obstacles.

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor