Living Stones

Scripture – 1 Peter 2:4-8: As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by people 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. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, “ and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Observation – All of a sudden Peter launches into all this “stone” talk. I wonder if he’s thinking back to the new name Jesus gave him (Matt. 16:18). One of the striking images is that we are “like living stones.” We are not static – like a brick placed as part of a wall that won’t move after that. We “are being built into a spiritual house.” We are adaptable in this on-going business of becoming the church. So Christ, the builder, may have me in one place today and in a new place tomorrow. I may be a brick in the wall one day and a paperweight another. “Living stones” may be used any way the builder chooses. My call is to be open to His ever-changing, ever-expanding plan.

Application – I will serve Christ and His church today, using the gifts He has given. I will be consciously open to any new work or place He has for me.

Prayer – Lord, you know my tendency to tell you how I will serve. Please forgive me for that. Use me as a “living stone” today – ready to move or be moved as you desire.