in the meantime

I have stones in my soil. Stones of distrust, selfishness, and disobedience. These stones have been in my garden for a long time. I think back to my childhood and see how these little pebbles grew into the boulders they are today.

Why is it so hard to let God throw these rocks away? I've never been without these things. Maybe deep down I'm afraid that God can't remove these boulders out of my life. That I'll be disappointed to learn that it's too much for God to do that for me.

I've been thinking a lot since I heard Wintley Phipps talk about love being the foundation for church growth. I want revival. Not just for Southern, but for me. I want to be willing to be in one accord with my brothers and sisters. I want to be in one heart and mind with those around me, and when we pray the ground shakes and we're filled with the Holy Spirit.

I've been reading Acts for devotions lately. A couple years back when we studied Acts in Sabbath School, I was so awestruck at the power of what God can do through us. Now reading it again, it's more inspiring yet challenging. I find myself wondering, "Can this really happen today?". Sometimes I feel like God speaks and His words fall on deaf ears, especially mine.

I look at the ground of my heart and see the weeds and rocks. The soil is hard. But as I was reading this morning my eyes fixed on this:

He is " 'the stone you builders rejected which has become the capstone.' "
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.-- Acts 4: 11,12

There is a stone in my garden that will crush all the others. The one I've rejected to see the power, strength, love, and grace it holds. It's time for Him to do the gardening.