As you come to him, a living Stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:4-5, ESV)
My last putt dropped, and I knew I missed the cut by one. Before the full weight of my disappointment landed, I congratulated one of my playing partners who would be moving on to the weekend.
Earlier in the week, I was reintroduced to this golfer and learned that I was one of her childhood idols, back when we played in the same junior golf program. Me, someone another junior golfer looked up to? I never would have guessed this to be true. I was shy and quiet, often uncomfortable in the wake of my success.
This made me pause and reflect on how I want to be a living stone not only while I play golf, but in my everyday life as well.
In Scripture, a significant story about standing stones is when Joshua set up twelve stones after crossing the Jordan River on dry ground.
“When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over … so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever (Joshua 4:21-24).”
During the ancient period, these standing stones were unique reminders of God’s supernatural acts. Their presence provoked questions from each generation because they were not commonplace like our road signs. This opened the opportunity for God’s people to praise God and tell of his love.
Near the ancient ruins of the city of Gezer, Israel, there are 10 enormous standing stones believed to have been erected around 1600 BC. The Biblical Archaeology Society believes these stones served as a memorial for a covenant or alliance, but to pagan gods. Some towers are 10 feet high and are solid stone.
Thousands of years later, these standing stones remain. They are impressive and beg the question, “What happened here and what do these stones mean?” Yet the story behind them is long forgotten; they are “dead” stones.
As a junior golfer, my accomplishments lured the attention of others. As a woman following Jesus, I must ask, “Does my life influence and shape the world around me for others to experience God?” After all, it will not be the words I speak that draw non-followers to Jesus; it is Jesus in me who will.
Without Jesus, we are dead stones with a forgotten story. With Jesus, we are his living stones, bringing his praise and love to the world around us.
Prayer: Lord, help me awaken to the truth of being a living stone so that my life is a reflection that provokes others to want to know you.