Opinion: The Rock of Ages wants to guide you
All across America we have a group of blood-related people called families. At a time not too long ago, these groups lived relatively close or on the family farm. Family, at one time, always looked out for each other. The larger the family, the more manpower was available to produce crops, etc. On the flip side of that equation, more mouths had to be fed and more bodies clothed. The memories within the life and times of families will always be remembered. Regardless of the size of the family, there was always one person who was the go-to individual for almost everything.
The go-to person in every family was considered to be the "rock" of the family. This person would personify wisdom, knowledge and grit. The rock was the person you sat down with when you lost your direction. They always had the directional compass to get you back on course. The rock of the family would often be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or a trusted cousin. This person was not afraid of anything and seemed to have superpowers. Some families were fortunate to have had several rocks on board. The rock was steady and always willing to share knowledge. These individuals can be traced back for as many generations as we can retrieve them. If there are only three individuals within a family unit, one person somehow automatically assumes the position of the family go-to person. All of us within a family unit provides some type of support from time to time to other members of the group. However, each unit would have that person or persons who carry the family through continuous leadership.
Who is the rock in your family unit? Somehow these gifted, talented people do not have to ask people to seek advice from them. Advice seekers gravitate to them without advertisement. Sometimes, the rock can provide all the answers for those who visit their family counseling office but have difficulties getting his or her immediate family to drink from the well of wisdom.
This person is oftentimes viewed as a leader in the community and is often asked to seek public office to fulfill the need of the people from a political base. We often hear people say, "Leaders are made to lead." I believe, however, that leaders are born to lead. Certain individuals have a special gift to lead others from an idea to tangible solution to the problems that plague a community, city, state or nation. We often encounter problems when we try to make those who lack leadership skills and abilities leaders. The rock can lead without even acknowledging he or she is leading the pack.
When King David thought about all of the close calls that he had, like how the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies and out of the hands of Saul, he spoke these songs, "And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence" (2 Samuel 22:1-3). David was able to call the Lord his rock because he confided in him constantly.
The Lord wants us to confide in him. He desires to be our Rock of Ages. Will you let him guide your life today? You can still confide in your family rock, just include the Lord in the decision-making process.
In God We Trust!
Sam Livingston is pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Manning.