1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
We are told that Jesus is “THE living Stone”. Peter continues to tell us that we, “like” living stones, are being built into a “spiritual house”. This comes as an important reminder in a world of flag-like faith.
I believe we generally approach faith, and our lives, as if we were flags for the Kingdom. We will wave, often vigorously, advertising the Kingdom. Declaring it’s existence. We will even allow ourselves to become so large, decorated, and adorned with all sorts of extra stitching, under the guise of becoming attractive to those looking for the flag. Parents, and grandparents will even invite the next generations to wave their flag along-side of us. But this analogy was never offered to us in scripture. Instead, we are given the connection of “stones”, and not just any stones you find on the side of the road – but stones for BUILDING upon.
What if we truly lived as those who desire to be built upon? If life was less about what I can advertise and wave to those around me and those generations to come – and more about what foundations I can help lay for those who will be built upon me?
It’s easy to become a flag. It’s enjoyable. We can enjoy moment after moment of waving. Enjoying the pleasures of life as God’s gifts, without much thought for what comes next. But to be a stone that will be built upon – this requires sacrifice and obedience. Words we tend to shy away from.
Maybe you have the ability to be a spiritual stone for others. Maybe an economic stone. Emotional stone. Relational stone. Creative stone. Maybe some sort of blend of gifts and abilities to offer the building WE are becoming (not only “we” pointing around the room, but “we” as in all who have come before, and those generations to come).
As we offer ourselves to others, recognizing Christ as the ultimate “cornerstone” (v.6), and giving our lives to the building…we are becoming the temple where God chooses to dwell. We carry His presence into a world parched and dry for this Living Water. We invite our grandparents. We actively lead our grandchildren. We join together…not in waving, but in becoming what those after us will need to continue building God’s dwelling place…
words from wick 