A woman crossing a river on stepping-stones
by Helen Jesze 12th September 2025
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered … ” Hebrews 5:8 KJV
“He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.” Ps. 147:3 NIV
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 KJV
When I was 19 years old, I went through a time of brokenness, due to a failed relationship, and thought I would never be able to find God’s Will for my life again. However, at first, I did not realise that this all happened because of my disobedience and that I had never actually asked God if this relationship – which would have changed the course of my life and destroyed God’s plan of ministry for me – was his Will anyway. In fact, at one point, when someone asked me if I had asked the Lord about this, I replied, “No and I’m not going to!!” This was not just disobedience but rebellion, on my part!
Thank God that he broke up this relationship and that I was humbled to realise that his way is the Best, and that if Jesus is my Saviour, he is also my LORD, and it is his right to tell me his plan. During this very difficult time, God gave me the following poem. Please read its message and may it speak to your heart. Afterwards we will briefly go through the points we can take away from it.
But just a Stepping-Stone
Although the way but darkness seems to me, still he leads on.
Ne’er in the midst of sorrow leaves me there, the battle not yet won.
On before, footsteps glistening bright with blood on this thorny way,
Still stepping onward, he my light, to lead me into everlasting day.
With blood? Yes, for did he not to Calvary tread,
The darkest path, shadow of a cross, death’s fear of pain and dread,
All except his Father’s Will but loss?
So how can I but follow still with Calvary’s scenes fresh in my soul
And yield to your almighty Will, till it becomes of me –- the whole!
Till I lay down earthly desires, those loves, those hopes
Which me from you would take.
Burn out the dross with your most holy fire,
And from a broken pile a better vessel make.
Help me to see your hand of Love sends happiness and weary hours;
To grow more like my Lord above, there must be sun, also showers.
But you are there, close by my side, and yet behind, and yet before –
For in yourself I’m hidden safe until this fearful storm be o’er.
Now through the gloom with glad anticipation,
My resurrection-morn does now appear.
It’s always darkest just before Faith’s realisation,
Keep on, he says, there’s nought to fear.
Those things in darkness stumbled o’er
When with tear-dimmed eyes you felt alone,
Seen with Faith’s eyes, the darkness will be cleared
And they’ll become but JUST A STEPPING-STONE! **
What points can we take away from this poem?
1) In our Christian walk, we go through joyful but also difficult times and experiences. Despite what some preachers tell us that when we come to Jesus all our troubles will be over and Life will be “a bed of roses”, this is not true. But the good news is that God wants to bring us through, he never leaves us in the storm.
2) In these times, it is good to take our eyes off of our difficulties and see that our answer of deliverance comes from Jesus and him alone. Becoming our divine Substitute bearing our sin, sickness, rejection on Calvary’s cross, he obeyed the perfect Will of the Father, and laid down his life. The question is: When bad things happen to us, do we then run away from God and backslide, or are we determined that with God’s help, we will learn lessons in the process and believe he will bring us through victorious?
3) There are times when we need to lay down our earthly desires, plans and loves on God’s altar, if these things are taking us away from God. Just as gold has to be put through the fire to burn out the dross and impurities, the dross must be burned out of us by the fire of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
4) God is the Great Potter. Sometimes an earthly potter will throw away pots and vessels which don’t shape up correctly, God takes our broken pieces and makes our life, our vessel new and beautiful! I have heard that sometimes when a broken bone has mended, it is stronger than before it was broken! Wow! God can do that for us spiritually!
5) Despite allowing joyful and difficult times in our lives, God shows us that we are hidden in him, encased in his Love and Being, till the storm is past!
6) It is said that “it’s always darkest just before the dawn”, and it is certainly true that just before we see the realisation, the answer we have been praying for, it sometimes seems very dark. BUT – for Jesus, his Resurrection-morning came after his death on Calvary’s cross. Our “resurrection” is about to dawn, too!
7) Jesus explains that when we stumble in the darkness, in our tears and loneliness, if we will look with the eyes of FAITH, the darkness will disappear and the very things we stumbled over can become ways to bring us higher in God! They will become STEPPING-STONES! Just like the young lady in our picture above, the stepping-stones took her safe and dry over the river.
So let’s look now with eyes of Faith and without hesitation, step out on God’s promises and walk safely over every ‘river’ of difficulty that stands in our way!
** (Poem taken from my book “From the Father’s Heart to Yours”, available from me at £14.99 (excluding postage)