Living Stones by Kara Backes (Family Ministry Director)

Present yourselves as living stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ approved lives up to God. - But you are the one chosen by God, chose for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, Gods instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night and day difference he made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2: 5, 9-10 (The Message)

As Living Stones he refers to Christ as the foundation and each believer being called a living stone. 

We have been rejected by men – chosen by God and precious to Him. We are living stones being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood. 

The Church = Christ as the foundation + each believer a living stone (community)

These passages make me think of my wonderings of why God has called me into certain roles for him in ministry.  And I have said, “why me God – I am not qualified. I do not have the strength this role and this ministry deserves.  I just want to be part of the community and serve.”  God has continued to say “GO – be my stone – share my life – do life for me – be strong in me.  You are not meant to build this alone, but continue building together.  There are many other stones meant to build this together.  Each of us, as living stones, have a purpose and if we each put our stone in place we could build an awesome house of God. 

In this passage we are also called to be part of the priesthood.  I believe this means walking alongside each other in ways that will bring us closer to Christ.  This is not just meant for leaders, it is a calling for each of us to come alongside each other and do life together.  As each stone is built on the foundation of Christ we create a community that we long for and were made to be a part of.  Christ is our foundation – we have worth because of what God does, not what we do.

I am so thankful for my community and the living stones in my life – they have enriched my walk with Christ more than I can describe.  Being around them makes me want to grow closer to Christ – they hold me accountable, they take care of me, they have fun with me, they do life with me and I with them.  I cannot thank our Awesome God enough for the community he has provided for me.  My prayer is that each of you has this as well and therefore is growing closer to our King and to each other! 

One stone is not a church or even a wall, but together our stones could build a Great House of God.  Come join me in our calling of being a "living stone" and God’s instruments to build something together great in the Lord!