Have you ever picked up a beautiful stone at the beach, its colour and patterns glimmering in the sunlight, only to find that once dry, it has lost its allure? The other weekend, we walked the beach, eyes peeled for interesting stones as we enjoyed the warmth of the sun on our backs and the feel of wet sand underfoot. As usual, we chose a couple of pebbles that piqued our interest, significant in some way that connected their history with ours.

Once home, dried out from the salty sea and dulled of the summer sunlight glinting on their façade, I realised that I felt just like these stones…. parched and dry. It’s not just the relentlessness of the UK heat wave these past few weeks, but more a sense of feeling spent; lacking sparkle and colour; a dryness of spirit, as I negotiate all the “must-do’s” on my seemingly never-ending daily lists. I need refreshing so that the colour and sparkle in me returns…

I began to wonder what these little pebbles could teach me; what pertinent nuggets of wisdom they might offer the dryness in my soul…and realised several things…

Refreshing Beauty

The beauty of pebbles and stones is so much greater when wet within the water and highlighted by sunlight.

So, I wonder…

• What might I need that refreshes my life, making it more beautiful?
• Is my life refreshed and rejuvenated by being immersed in God’s Holy Spirit, so that my life may shine like a sea pebble in the sun?
• How might I bathe in the light of the Son of God, so my life shines with good things?
• What good things in my life might I want to highlight? What might I wish to release?

Each unique

Every pebble is unique, with its own story to tell, beautiful in its own way, with a place where it has functioned best. Over time, those functions evolved and changed, as it navigated its often-difficult way across time, yet each bears the hand of God within its narrative.

So, I wonder…

• What changes in my life have helped to form my unique story?
• Can I see the hand of God in the narrative of my life?
• What might I need to change in my life now, as my roles change and evolve?

The Power of One

On its own, you would think that a pebble has little impact, yet one small rock may contain a valuable diamond, or a newly discovered element within, with potential to transform technology. If we recall the pain of a tiny stone in our shoe or consider that we are able to fall and break a limb simply by tripping over a small stone, or that a stone propelled with force can do great damage, we will realise that every small stone has the potential to make an impact. Just think of the story of David and Goliath!

So, I wonder…

• Partnering with God the Creator, what impact has my small life?
• How might I hone the power to do good with my one life, rather than cause others to stumble?

A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Stronger Together

Together, however, stones provide great strength or majesty as they gather naturally to create swathes of long beaches, rock escarpments, or are humanly fashioned into functional and great buildings. As God’s people, together we have the potential to do so much more than we could ever achieve alone. We are “Living Stones” …

…built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

For Christ is our living Cornerstone, chosen by God but rejected by many.

So, Lord, may I embrace the role of Living Stone, submitting to the Holy Spirit’s flow in and through me, to bring refreshment to my life and others. With Christ as my light and foundation, may I shine again, offering my life to be built alongside those of your people to further and strengthen your Church. Amen