Opportunities for God to Be God

March 5, 2026

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

One day a farmer's donkey fell into an old, dry well. The animal cried and brayed for hours as the farmer tried to figure a way to lift him out. Finally the farmer concluded it was impossible to save the donkey and the animal would only suffer, so they needed to put the donkey out of his misery.

The farmer, with merciful intentions, asked his neighbors to come help him fill up the well with dirt, which would put the donkey out of his suffering and prevent any other animals from a similar fate.

They grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, when the donkey realized what was happening, he cried horribly. He was being covered and buried alive in dirt! Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down and let out some happy brays. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well to see what was happening and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was shaking it off and stepping up on the slightly raised pile of dirt.

As they continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. He shook it off and stepped up, shook it off and stepped up. The donkey was being lifted to the top, one shovel at a time. Soon, to everyone's amazement, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

In everyone’s life, there are times someone will try to shovel dirt on you. The trick to getting out of the dark, deep well you might find yourself in is to shake it off and take a step up. Every adversity can be turned into a stepping stone. What happens to you isn't nearly as important as how you react to it.

God is a God of creative second and third chances. No one is too far gone or too far from Him. Empty wells, piles of dirt, dark places, seemingly insurmountable obstacles are only greater opportunities for God to be God and to show His Power. Never give up! Your obstacle is His opportunity.