Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE ROCK

In various contexts, rocks play a sizable role in the life of country boys. As a child in the WWII era, most of our area roads were topped off with crushed rock. They were excellent in size for a slingshot instrument commonly referred to as a “Bean-flip” A handful or two in each front pocket helped to wear out jeans, but always ready ammunition to trophy a sparrow, squirrel, wasp nest, or snake. Crushed rock seldom flew true due to erratic shapes, but now and then when hitting a target was deemed highly desirable, a marble could be substituted which would unfailingly fly straight to the target.

Washed rocks were seldom used due to the difficulty of collecting them and their lack of stability. However, they were plentiful around sandbars in creek beds.I found a rock that was smooth, had a slight indentation that just fit the thumb and dubbed it “My lucky rock.” Mom would often find it in my jeans on washday and inquired about it. She must have thought it cute because it went missing one day after several months of my close protection of it. Then, it was forgotten.

Now, I am an old man. Mom died over a quarter century ago. A couple of boxes of things accrued to me that my siblings would not take.They were placed in the attic. The other day, it was time to clear the attic because of the continuing difficulty of simply getting up there. It was then that those old boxes of mom’s stuff were re-discovered and examined. Upon opening one of them I stared in unbelief. There was my lucky rock, the whole idea of which she cherished and placed it among her keepsakes. Who could have told me that a common washed creek rock would carry with it joy and a springboard into cherished memories of childhood triumphs.

It reminded me that rocks are still important, especially a private, blessed rock, which I enjoy as do many others. David said in 2 Samuel 2:22, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer.” Our rock is Christ upon whom His church is built, and who remains a fortress, high tower and rock of protection through the ages to all who trust in Him. He is that Rock that cleft for me. Then to the Rock let me fly, to the Rock that is higher than I. “Amen, and so mote it be!”

FOR THOUGHT: A rock is thought of as ammunition. What is your spiritual ammunition? A rock is thought of as protection. What is your ultimate protection? A rock is thought of as enduring. What are you trusting, depending on, to endure? If your answer to all the questions is not Jesus and His eternal Word, when do you intend to rectify your answer?