Epiphany from the Rubble

But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22 (NIV)

Three hundred and forty seven homes burned in the Waldo Canyon Fire of Colorado. Mine was one of them. The landscape looked like a war zone. The once beautiful trees were skeletons surrounded by charred rubble. "At least I have my rocks," I thought, "they can be part of my new landscape after the debris is removed."

I was thankful I could arrange the boulders in my new yard because they were all that remained. Propping my foot up on a boulder, I discussed plans with the landscaper. I noticed a crack and looked closer. I tapped with my foot and part of the boulder broke off. Looking closer, I saw a larger crack. I kicked the rock and it split in half. Shocked, I stomped it over and over again until it crumbled to little pieces. Disbelief saturated me as I tried each rock to see if they would crumble. They all did. I wilted to my knees feeling the loss of my home all over again. Rocks were supposed to be symbolic of solidarity and something that would stand the test of time, but even the rocks didn't make it. It was a visual epiphany. Rocks don't burn, right? Well, mine did. The heat ruined the integrity of the rocks.

Out of the shattered rocks came the reminder of the Truth. There is only one Rock that stands the test of fire and time: The Lord. Without the Lord, I would be lost, like the boulders that crumbled beneath my feet. I knew this to be true in my head, but now I saw the Truth with my own eyes.

Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:8-12 (NIV)

Dear Lord, You are my fortress, the living rock of my life. Thank you for reminding me what is important. Even if everything crumbles and burns, You will reign in my life. Thank you for bringing me to a place of abundance even though I went through the fire.
Amen.

Questions for Reflection

• What in your life has forced you to your knees in tears?
• How did God comfort you?
• What are the counterfeit rocks in your life?
• How does the rock of the Lord take shape in your daily walk?

Excerpt from Refreshing Wind, publisher Lighthouse of the Carolinas, 2013. Copyright Shauna L. Hoey, used by permission.