Smooth Stones

Where I grew up in Colorado, and around here, rocks and rivers go together. Rivers polish and grind off the rough edges of rocks. The longer a rock is in the river, the smoother it becomes. 

I find it interesting that the Bible tells us that David went to the brook and chose five smooth stones to put in his pouch when he was going to face Goliath (1 Sam. 17:40). The rock that killed the giant was a smooth stone. Why did the Lord feel it was important to include that detail? Why not just say he picked up 5 stones? I think it must have to do with the aerodynamics of smooth stones. A jagged stone would not fly straight and true when David flung it from his sling. He wanted to make sure it would fly true to hit his target. He needed a stone that had spent a lot of time in the river getting all the jagged edges worn off.

What is it that does the polishing? The rocks on the banks are not being polished when they are out of the water. Oh, maybe a little by the wind and rain, but that is a much slower process. Polishing happens in the river. And, it is not the water itself that does the polishing. Tumbling around and bumping up against the other rocks and sand in the river is what makes the rough edges smooth. The water moves the rocks around causing the polishing. 

I’m reminded of Proverbs 27:17 which states: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (A sharp blade has no rough edges.)

If the Holy Spirit is the river and we are the rocks, then He is the One moving us, resulting in the friction that ultimately polishes us and knocks off our rough edges. It can be a painful process, and one we don’t always understand at the time. Or should I say, one we rarely understand? Dealing with each other, those other rocks in the river, can cause us pain. But that pain often produces growth. Where else will we learn forgiveness, patience, and self control (to name a few) if we don’t encounter difficult relationships?

At first I was thinking that the smoothing process is always painful, but that is not true. All that togetherness of the rocks in the river rubbing shoulders, sharing experiences, moving together can also be a joyous thing. Personally, I think my rough edges have been smoothed out much more effectively by love and acceptance than by conflict. We were created for relationship, with God and with each other. Closeness, touching each other’s lives, while surrounded by God’s presence, polishes us.

We must trust Him and submit to the process. He is making us smooth so that we will be useful to Him in the slaying of giants in the land. We have been commissioned to disciple nations, and there are giants in the land that need slaying: greed, racism, poverty, disease, etc . . . We want to be well rounded and trustworthy, flying true when God pulls us out of His pouch and uses us. 

At the same time, do not think that you cannot be used by God because you are still rough around the edges! I like what Bill Johnson says: God wins no matter what hand He is dealt, even if it’s a pair of 2’s. After all, He used a donkey to speak to Balaam. God can use even the roughest, most jagged rock in His pouch when He so chooses. And there are even times when a jagged rock would be a better choice, depending on the intended use. Let God use you in whatever condition you are.

Lord, I pray you will be able to use me now, even though I am jagged and rough. I submit to Your polishing process with the hope that You will be able to use me to slay giants in the land.