Rocks

I spent Sunday harvesting rocks. The irony was not lost on me since I spent the morning listening to Pastor Michelle deliver an excellent sermon on Peter.

In the fields next to our acreage, there are a couple of spots where, every year, quartz rise to the surface. These wreak havoc on farm equipment. They also are nice to decorate with, so Rose and I harvest them in a “win-win.” Most people think big rocks don’t move, but it is amazing to see how they shift and rise up. Sunday’s haul was good, especially one 100 pound monster I had to dig up and tractor out.

I think we all need to have a rock in our lives.

One thing I especially love about being a pastor is the ability to be there for people in times of need. When someone places trust in me to let them into their struggle, I see this as a sacred calling. When this happens, though, I am very aware of my failings. I totally resonate with Peter’s story. Jesus told Peter (actually renamed him) he would be “the rock.” Later and at a critical moment, Peter denied Jesus three times. I believe it is a test to Peter’s character that he was able to carry on in ministry after failing Jesus so terribly. Peter did, in fact, become “the rock” upon which the church was built.

Who is your rock? Perhaps the better question is, for whom are you the rock? Better yet, are you prepared to be someone’s rock? Let’s face it, we all fail. None of us are good enough, but yet we move, change and rise up. It is a sacred call to be a rock for another. I pray you hear that call.