Monday, April 25, 2011 - Little Rocks, Big Bridges

Nick posing on the commemorative little rock
taken from original mass supporting
the bridge in the background.

The remaining portion of the "little rock" for which the capital of Arkansas was named is now a foundation for a walking/biking bridge over the Arkansas River. The original mass jutted into the river and served as a landmark for river travelers and explorers. Now visitors can visit a literal 'chip off the old block' near the river that holds a commemorative plaque recording the beginnings of the city.
     Jesus rolled a rather large rock away as part of His resurrection and afterwards, His disciples and followers heard that others had seen their Master here or there. They may have worn themselves ragged trying to see Him until, finally, He gathered them to witness His ascension back into heaven. On this Rock they had:
1) a promise, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19)
2) a mission, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matt. 28:19-20a)
3) another promise, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:20b)
4) an idea of the scope of their mission, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
5) an amazing foundational experience, "After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight." (Acts 1:9); 
6) and the desire to stand there like rocks on the hillside commemorating the power and glory they had just witnessed. "Men of Galilee," they (two men dressed in white) said, "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" 
"I'll tell you why they stood there, men in white: they wanted to camp out at the last place they had experienced Jesus.You wouldn't understand their emptiness, being heaven dwellers who've only and always known the Presence of God. They were afraid they might never know the sweetness of His Presence again. They shared this unforgettable moment no one back home was going to believe. There was safety, security of sanity, and strength in numbers gazing into heaven." 
      However, Jesus hasn't called His followers to simply hold our commemorative plaques of what Christ has done for us in one place. We're designed to carry them on the go - wherever He leads us. We're designed to hold our testimonies as we wait and pray for God  to fill us with power. We're designed to display our plaques telling how Jesus changed us on the bridges we form from the Rock into our communities, our nation and the nations of the world. Yes, we're to fix our eyes on Jesus, no longer a speck in one part of the sky but Emmanuel - God with us, God in us, Who stays with us wherever we go. We're the living, breathing, empowered chips off the Solid Rock. His story's written on our hearts with plenty of room for more to be written there. 
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, 
Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, 
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 
Hebrews 12:2


"But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." Psalms 102:27 
Inspired by Jesus Calling
photo from our family photos