Outpourings: Take Up Your Stones, Part Two

There is more than meets the eye...

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...when it comes to your story, that is.  So many elements you will not understand, because God's ways are higher than your ways (Romans 11:33).  But one thing is for certain: your story does not end with you.  

Monday's post was about the Lord bringing you through a journey.  We looked at Joshua, when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.  Today, the question will be regarding the purpose of the stones in this account:

V. 5-7: "He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must take up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel...These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”'

In taking up your stones throughout your journey, you gather a beautiful, personal treasure--one that will impact other people.  After reaching Gilgal, Joshua speaks three truths to the Israelites about God's purpose for the stones:

ONE: The stones glorify God.  "Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.  For the Lord your God dried up the river...'" (v. 21-22). 

TWO: The stones point others to God's power.  "He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful..." (v. 24).

THREE: The stones deepen your fear of God.  "...and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” (v. 24)

Your stones, your memorial, point first to God's glory.  Then they outpour upon the lives of other people.  I love how this directly reflects the two most important commandments: Love God, and love neighbor (Matt. 22:35-41). 

Which of these three points have you experienced at work in your own life?