A Stumbling-block or a Stepping-stone

by Amy Carmichael
 
"To each is given a bag of tools,
An hour-glass, and a book of rules;
And each must build ere his work be done,
A stumbling-block or a stepping-stone."


Our bag of tools--our body with all its various powers, the "tools" God has given us to use; the hour-glass--time; the book of rules--our Bible; the stumbling-block--that which will hinder others; the stepping-stone--that which will help them nearer Heaven--so far all is clear.
Is this clear too? We cannot build both a stumbling-block and a stepping-stone. We must choose which we will build. Once built it stands; we cannot pull it down and begin over again. Is not this an awful truth? Think of what it would be if, when the day is over and the work is done, we looked at it and saw a stumbling-cbock. God save us from that.
Every true, loving, faithful thought, word, or deed, helps to build the stepping-stone. Every untrue, unloving, unfaithful thought, word, or deed, helps to build the stumbling-block over which others will fall.
God help us all to build stepping-stones.