LIVING, NOT ROLLING STONES

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

Christ is the living Stone and he is making us into living stones. Living stones is not the metaphor you might expect. To me stones are dead, unmoving. Yet, Peter calls Christ the living Stone and teaches us that we too are living stones. 

The picture of being built together is the key. Things that are alive grow. We grow as Christ builds us together. He is building us into a priesthood. Not an unconnected collection of individuals out on their own but an interconnected priesthood, made  holy by his sacrifice. Made holy and made priests to offer spiritual sacrifices of acts of love in faith in Jesus Christ. 

I went to a men's study yesterday morning. I missed last week because I was sick last. One of the guys asked where I was and kind of gave me a hard time about using the "I was sick"  excuse. You know what? I appreciate that they were willing to hold me accountable. What is cool is that part of the group is sort of a new new mix, and we are starting to grow together. That's the Spirit of God building us together in Christ. 

Father, thank you for working in my life. Use me to build your kingdom. Praise be to you in us today!