Living stones

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY

I am a living stone. Are you?

Living stones describes how one-way Christians serve together in God’s economy. There are other illustrations of how believers function as parts of a whole, like being “members of a body,” but for now, let’s look closer at stones.

A stone may be a precious mineral: something strong, solid, smooth, a common building material and used in a variety of ways. A stone may refer to the smallest pebble or a large slab used for building. It can be part of a massive rock, then something made functional by its size or new shape. Stones are used for construction, polished for jewelry and provide a surface for drawings, designs or text.

The Bible uses stones to teach us many things, and they appear in scripture several times to illustrate valuable lessons.

One of the earliest records appears in Genesis 31:45. Jacob used a stone as a memorial pillar, a remembrance marker.

Later, God spoke to Joshua, saying, “Put 12 stones in the middle of the river Jordan and when your children ask about it years later, you will tell them of the miracle God did,” so that you will have a God story to share with them. (Joshua 3:13-4:9) In Isaiah 28:16, God says, “Look. I am laying a tested, costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed … The one who trusts will never be dismayed; your trust is well placed, he will not be disturbed.”

God means what He says and follows through on our behalf.

Psalm 118:22 refers to the stone which the builders refused, rejected. This poses a picture of the critical first stone, specifically placed at the intersection of two structural walls, providing stability and alignment. It is something uniquely carved and chosen, the largest and strongest.

This cornerstone establishes the standard plumb line upon which all other parts of the structure rests and establishes the integrity of the structure.

The stone God provided was rejected and discarded and yet this stone is the chief cornerstone.

Jesus is the foundation. He is our plumb line and stability, and is permanently established by God. Our faith rests upon Him. (I Peter 2:4) People still reject God’s cornerstone. We still think our way, understandings and plans are superior to God’s. Sadly, we consider our internal authority as the governance for life, rather than God’s Word.

Life is too fragile. It is too brief, complicated and uncertain to ignore God’s directives. (Mark 12:10, Acts 4:11) May we grasp this truth and rest our lives upon the cornerstone. Until next week, Anita Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.