3by7faith

This week, I took a day off of responsibilities to go and visit a giant rock. If you’re from Texas, you may be familiar with the Enchanted Rock Natural State Area, a vast nature reserve known for its unique landscape, star visibility, and a giant 425-foot rock. I had the opportunity to see this rock, hike around the base, scale it, and witness a stunning sunset! The experience was challenging and fun. On the 1.5-hour drive home that night, I was more relaxed and at peace than I’d been in a few months, and I thought to myself, “Wow, I really need to touch grass more!” While the relaxation was a result of a beautiful day spent in nature, the peace came from something much more eternal; it came from God.

Enchanted Rock is actually thought to be 1.1 billion years old. Whatever you may believe about that, the fact is that God has been around forever (literally), and He’s actually the one who created that rock! The Bible says that God is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, and the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). The book of Psalms even refers to God as “the Rock” over twenty times. Peering up at the huge dome and thinking of the generations of people who have experienced its greatness gave me a renewed sense of how vast our God is. All of my worries seemed so small, and I remember that this is actually the view we’re supposed to have of God. He is so much bigger than EVERYTHING. The peace I acquired came because I had my thoughts fixed on God!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4.

I’ve been on many hikes, mostly in areas with lots of slippery gravel and dirt that would make it a difficult task to balance. However, this rock was different. As I climbed the side, with a slope of over 30 degrees, I strangely felt in no way that I would slip and fall. Scaling down the rock, though, I thought would surely be terrifying. However, it was even more fun than climbing up! The lack of dirt and gravel made it easy to literally run or even jump down the entire way, and it was the best part of that day. This reminded me of who God is. When we love God and obey His commands, we choose to stand on a solid rock.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27

Interestingly, there was actually very little grass or greenery at Enchanted Rock. So when I say that I needed to touch grass, what I mean is that I needed to stand on the rock. What we all need is to allow ourselves to live from the perspective of the eternal rock, our God. We must remember that He is unchanging, that His love never fails, and that we were never meant to live with the worry and anxiety that we do now (Matthew 6:34).

So how do we live from this perspective? For me, this first means getting rid of some distractions, like spending less time scrolling on social media and consuming television (I can guess it likely means that for you as well). We must also add moments to our routines that allow us to “touch grass.” I’ve learned that a short walk in the morning—without music or a podcast—allows me to talk to God and gain an eternal perspective before starting my day. To understand where you are and where you can grow, ask yourself some of these questions:

1. When was the last time you spent a full day dedicated to God and disconnected from screens?
2. What specific things help you feel God’s steadiness when things are chaotic around you?
3. What three steps can you take this week to make sure you’re intentionally connecting with God?

Whatever it is, find ways to anchor yourself to God, the Eternal Rock, in everything you do!

Lord, thank you that you are the Eternal Rock. Thank you that your word is a firm foundation I can stand on. Help me to get rid of distractions and remember you in all areas of my life. Help me to not be overcome by the worries of life, but to know that you are unchanging and never-failing. I pray you help me be intentional in connecting with you this week.

In Jesus’ name, amen!