God is the Rock of my life. This is a practical attitude that leads to choices that impact who I am and how I live. When I’m confused and have questions in life, I ask Him for perspective. When I am tired and down, I draw near to Him for shelter.
In the margin of Psalm 61 I’ve jotted, “Standing on a rock could be a source of perspective. A rock is firm, unmoving – it may provide shelter and protection beside it, and vision/perspective from the top.” As I’ve prayed, I’ve imagined the view from standing on top of a rock. And I’ve imagined the security of crawling into a safe crevice in the side of it.
“Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge …”
~Psalm 61:1-3 (ESV)
We can choose to ask God be our source of perspective. In St. George, UT there is a park where you can climb all over amazing red rock formations. From the top of them, you have a great view of the whole area. In our relationship with God, He can help us see the reality of who we are and what is happening in life around us.
As we gain perspective, it leads us into action, such as: personal growth, loving choices in our relationships, and wiser decision-making. We’re often zoomed in on the details of our stress, feelings, and what we need to do. God, and the truth He’s communicated in the Bible, can help us zoom out and remember who He is, what His Big Story is, and think about what He might be doing in our life.
We can choose to go to God for shelter. When you come down from the top of the red rocks, they are full of sheltering pockets! Many are large enough to crawl into. God desires to be our shelter and refuge, rather than us turning to other people and things to be our refuge. He is a safe place for us to be fully real and loved.
Knowing God as our shelter gives us courage to become authentic people. We are safe to be real with God because His love for us is unconditional. We can share all our heart with Him, because He already knows the good and the bad and loves us fully. He is our protection, comfort, and peace. As we experience His love, it gives us courage to be authentic with the people in our lives, as well. It also grows our courage to love people in a more invitational, unconditional way!
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” ~Psalm 61:5-7
In what part of your life do you need greater PERSPECTIVE? Ask God for help to see what He sees. What action does this lead to?
Take a moment to pray and draw near to God as your REFUGE. Imagine you’re hiding safely in a crevice of a large rock, and know God as your Shelter.
Kathryn Featherstone is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and a board-certified Christian Life Coach. She’d like to encourage you in your journey! Write her a note or see her Coaching page.
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