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My fascination with rocks began early. I remember well seeing a rock outside my first-grade classroom. It was embedded in a stepping stone and impossible to release. I tried. And I looked at that rock with longing most every day, wishing for it for my rock collection. I was drawn to it because it had visible layers, like it had been chipped and the interior of it exposed. It was unlike any other rock that I had ever seen and it seemed to be a treasure to my six-year-old eyes.
Fast forward many years and I find myself carefully viewing rocks at interesting places I have visited. Rocks represent places, and times to me. Even now in my office at home, rocks are reminders of places I have been and enjoyed. Many of them from “holy” places. There is one from Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico, one from the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and many ancient and beautiful ones from the holy island of Iona in Scotland. These have spiritual meaning for me for the pilgrimages taken in these places.
In Psalm 31, the psalmist says, you (God) are my rock and my fortress. In verse 2 the psalmist asks God to be a rock of refuge, a strong fortress.
Rocks represent strength and solidity, behind and with which we can seek safety and protection. This seemed so for the psalmist in his request.
The rock of my childhood was not attainable for me. God our rock and refuge is attainable and accessible. God, our rock and refuge, is a treasure attainable in good, calm times as well as times of unrest and uncertainty.
Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me…You are indeed my rock and my fortress. Psalm 31:2b-3a.
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