Stones

I don't think much about rocks, stones, boulders ,etc....until I step on them in a river bed, or stumble over one on a pebbled beach...come to think of it, I used to proudly take rocks home from camp, youth trips, and beach trips.  Stones have significance to us as humans for some reason.  They carry weight.  Such an unassuming object feels good in the palm of my hand...the smoothness of the surface, the weight of something pressing against my palm, sometimes what it makes me remember.  And yes, sometimes the pain it caused.

We listened to two women in church on Sunday talk about stones.  They retold stories of long ago--of David defeating Goliath with two stones he catipulted at the self-assured giant.  They reminded us of the woman who was thrown before the people of her own town to be stoned.  the people had picked up the rocks and were ready to give her the punishment she deserved.  Then they reminded us that a stone was placed in front of the tomb of Jesus to keep him in.

We have our plans...we think we know what rocks in our lives to pick up and heave at others that will hit the mark.  I'm pretty sure David was just throwing blind, doing whatever he could think of to thwart Goliath.  The people in the town who came out of their houses to condemn the woman thought they had things under control, and that they should take action and use those stones to rid the town of a sinner.  And the officials who called for the crucifixion of Jesus thought they would seal the tomb and all would be well.

In all of these situations, God takes an object that we intend for evil, for control, for security, for self-preservation, and redeems it.  The stone becomes victory for David.  The stones become mirrors for the townspeople, and grace for the woman.  The stone became light and life for all who believe that Jesus is who he says he is.

So, have you looked at the stones in your life?  Are they marking your path with goodness and redemption?  Are they marked by redemption seen, realized, received, and given back?