Red Wednesday's Wisdom - Rock

Have you ever thought about the word rock and its meaning in your life? For some of you it might be connected to a person or thing. For others it could be related to how you think or feel - how bright you are, how much you make, what you have, or how successful you are. Does your life depend upon that rock? Does it give you security? And how would life change for you if your rock was removed?

In my high school religion classes, we often discussed the meaning of the latest pop music in relationship to biblical truths. Simon and Garfunkel at that time, had come out with the song called, I am a Rock. We listened to it in our class, and I don’t remember the specifics of our discussion, but I do recall how thought provoking those lyrics have always been to me. So here they are, and click here if you would like to hear the song. See how they touch you:

A winter’s day, in a deep and dark December,
I am alone, gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock, I am an island

I've built walls, a fortress deep and mighty, that none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock, I am an island.

Don't talk of love, well I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock, I am an island

I have my books and my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock, I am an island

And a rock feels no pain
And an island never cries

It doesn’t take very long to recognize that the feelings of pain, loss, loneliness, and isolation are being clearly conveyed through the poetic words of this song.

When I teach about the twelve guidelines that lessen the clutter in our lives, I use a rock as one of the symbols to represent the guideline that tells me to embrace change and set goals patiently. Just like the paper piles that can build up, so can the emotions of pain, loss, loneliness and isolation. Ultimately, our hearts can become hard, just like rock, unless we are willing to embrace those feelings. But how do you embrace pain, loss, loneliness, and isolation with open acceptance and the arms that loving and endearingly hug those emotions? I know of only one way, and it is by my embracing the rock that is referred to throughout the Bible. I love how David sung about that rock in Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” David sung these words as he was being hunted down by his enemies and betrayed by King Saul, the man whom he had loved. David’s song is quite different from the one that was sung by Simon and Garfunkel.

There was a time when the rock in my life was not the rock that David described. I equated my rock with what gave me security. I found security in my career, having a certain amount of money, having a husband to care for me and our children, and living in a beautiful home. But when all of that security was taken away, all I could see was me and a faint glimmer of God. I felt like the rock that no longer knew how to feel, and I felt like the island that stood on its own. Like the song, I am a Rock, I was all messed up with so many cluttered thoughts and emotions. Truth be told, I was still feeling something, even if it didn’t feel good! Deep down inside of me, I knew those emotions would not serve me; they would only keep me enslaved. And those feelings did change over time, but with patience, as I made the decision to embrace a new way of thinking. I was renewed and changed because I opened my heart to the loving arms of Jesus. He taught me that ultimately He is the only One who can be my true security and my solid strong Rock.

So, as you take time to reflect on the rock in your own life, I hope you will be renewed and changed as you consider embracing your situation with The Rock who will make a way for you out of your pain, loss, loneliness and isolation. God did it for me and He wants to do it for you!

The following song is used in my teaching as I help people to lessen the clutter in their own lives by embracing change and setting goals patiently. I hope you will find yourself embracing The Rock as you patiently listen.