The Rock
“The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation!” 2 Samuel 22:47
Hunting for agates on Agate Beach is one of life’s little pleasures. I was blessed to do just that recently. A mom and daughter were in the same area where I was, and as we chatted they asked if I had found any yet. You can always tell when it is someone’s first time in search of the elusive agate—they have that wide-eyed “Hunting for Unicorns” look about them.
I gave them one so: a) they would have one to compare the other rocks to, and b) in case they didn’t find one they wouldn’t leave empty-handed. No one should leave Agate Beach without at least one agate! The response is always the same: “I can keep it?” Incredulous, like it was the Crown Jewels or something. It’s so precious to witness.
The mom promptly dropped it, couldn’t find it, and looked crushed. “I’m so sorry,” she said.
“No problem” was my reply, as I smiled and handed her another one—to more disbelief on their faces.
When I found the next one I had them come over and gave them a general idea of where it was, and waited for them to see it for themselves. The daughter found it…victory! They asked me multiple times, is this one, is that one—I would point them back to the one I had given them, and say, “Compare it to this and you’ll see that it’s not. Use this to know when you have the real thing.” There are many beautiful, and some not so pretty, rocks on the beach, but only one type is an agate.
And there are many different religions out there, but only one Jesus. Agates come in all different shapes, sizes and colors—some have a thick coating on them, some are polished totally clear, but they are all the same kind of rock, just as we, the followers of Jesus, look different but are all built on the one Rock (1 Samuel 2:2 NLT).
Much like I feel that no one should leave Agate Beach without an agate, no one should leave an encounter with me without some piece of Jesus. Be it the actual Gospel, or a story of a time when I clung to the Rock and He saved me (Psalm 18:2), or perhaps His love shown through me in giving, even if only a simple smile. Just as people are so earnestly looking for agates on the beach, people are searching for the Rock—let’s help them find Him, shall we?
Dear Lord, thank You for the simple pleasures in life, and for the opportunity to share them, and share You with others. Thank you for being our Rock. Amen.
Amen!
I am at Patrick’s Point this week with my daughter and grandkids! Just yesterday we were at Agate Beach and I did the same with my grandkids as they didn’t know what an agate was so I showed them one I found. So true about the religions! Thank you Jesus that You are the One for me and thank you for this beautiful area You have given us to enjoy!
Outstanding analogy, Friend! I can picture you there on the beach and hear your voice speaking to the seekers!
We are blessed because God has given you the gift of writing and the wisdom to pen beguiling words that draw others to Jesus! Thank you for giving your time to manifesting our Lord!