Those of you who remember my Bible study on lichen know that I like to base Bible studies on objects in nature that are referred to in the Bible. In addition to my collection and photos of lichen I have a collection and photos of stromatolites and had been at a loss about how make a connection with something in the Bible, until recently. In case you aren’t familiar with stromatolites, they are mats of bacteria that trapped particles such as sand and silt, and gradually hardened, resulting in a layered appearance. These photos are from stromatolites found in the Snowy Range in southern Wyoming, not too far from Laramie. These stromatolites are fossils that were once alive. To see living stromatolites you have to go to Australia or the Bahamas where they are under water producing bubbles of oxygen.
While reading a biography of Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor in Africa, I came to the chapter titled Living Stones. Helen had fulfilled a dream of being part of building a hospital and medical training center for native medical workers which was a beacon of hope for medical treatment is all of Congo. Then in 2002 a group of 7,000 rebel soldiers attacked the hospital compound, killing 1000 people, looting and burning all of the hospital buildings. Nothing was left but rubble. When she visited the area Helen questioned why God would allow this to happen. Then she thought of 1 Peter 2:4-5. “Come to Him, to that living stone rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house (temple) to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. The medical training school and hospital had been destroyed, but they had never been the true aim of Helens missionary work. The focus was the people Helen touched, the students, hospital staff and patients -the living stones, these she was able to point to Jesus, who still remained unbroken by circumstances.
Look at the women around you in this room, living stones, fitted together, a dwelling place of God’s Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22) with our foundation in Jesus, and lives committed to serving Him as we serve others.
In addition to the stromatolite samples of fossils I have brought biographies of former living stones, Christians who God has used in special ways to reach others for Christ. I invite you to read about and be inspired by the God they served as living stones.
Lets pray together. Lord Jesus Christ we pray that we, Immanuel’s Women in Mission, each a living stone, will continue to be built up into your dwelling place, a living and growing community, as we serve others and glorify You by touching the lives of others.