What comes to your mind when you read the words, “Weather Rock”? Perhaps you think of a Rock and Roll concert in some large open area. Thousands of young and old, lugging blankets, peanut butter sandwiches, and bottles of Pepsi crowd the area. The stage is set, mikes have been tested, and the news media are bumming around.
Excitement is accelerating since a favorite Rock group is scheduled to perform in a few moments.
Then, just as the clock strikes the magic moment, a strange sound is heard in the distance. Oh! No! Surely not, but the first sprinkles begin. Dark clouds come scooting in over the treetops, and the mood changes. The day may ‘rock’, but not in the way the developers had planned.
Well, maybe that is an exaggerated guess of what you thought, and that is great, but today I want to share a totally different glimpse.
A friend mailed me an interesting four verse poem, entitled ‘Weather Rock.’ Yes, weather is involved, but. . . well, let’s read the poem first and then we’ll share some thoughts.
WEATHER ROCK
Tie a string around a rock
And hang it from a tree,
If you will watch it you will have
A weather legacy.
If it’s swinging the day is windy
If it’s wet, that means a rain,
If it’s white then it is snowing,
It’s weather tales are plain.
It it’s hot you’ll know it’s summer,
If it’s cold, then winter’s here,
You can’t see it? Must be foggy,
Hanging still? The day is clear.
So don’t buy a fancy gadget,
You don’t need a new wind sock,
You’ll always know the climate
When you watch a weather rock.
A friend, Kay Young, from southern Illinois. shared this weather message with me. Those of you who know me well can predict what actions will take place at our home immediately. Yep! Grabbing a ball of string, and a rock, well not any old rock, out the door I went. It was a rock carved into the shape of a giraffe which I had purchased many years ago on a trip to Africa. The long neck was a perfect place to attach the string, and besides, I thought it would be fascinating to see the tallest animal around swinging by his neck in the breezes.
As the ‘rock’ swung in the rather brisk breeze that late October day, I switched my thoughts to the concept of Christ as our Rock and what the scriptures have to say about rocks.
My favorite passage on this theme comes from Matthew 7:24-28. The Lord encourages those of us who have heard the Word should model the wise man, and build our homes on the solid rock of Christ and His teachings. When the winds of daily life blow wickedly, our faith in the Creator of all things will keep us from drowning in fear and despair. Being tied to Him will provide the ‘sticky glue’ to keep us faithful. The foolish fellows build their homes on a sand pile, and troubles, more terrible than a hurricane, will destroy their lives and future with the Lord.
Just like our swinging giraffe, a follower may need to stick their neck out when faced with challenges to his faith. Early Christians, including Stephen, even lost their lives as they proclaimed their faith to the Master. What a blessing the promise found in Psalm 18:2 becomes. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” That promise helps me charge forward each day, as I relax in His arms.
Hang on Tightly to the Rock of our Salvation – Jesus Christ
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4).
Kathryn Ransom 