Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

There are a few things in the Bible that cause me to wonder.  For instance, who’s the guy who streaked in the garden? (Mark 14:51-52) And, did the woman at the well ever go back for her water jug? (John 4:28)  But, lately, what’s really been on my mind is found in 1 Samuel 17:40.  How long were those five stones sitting there in that stream before David picked them up and used one to kill Goliath?  And how long did it take for them to become so smooth?

My brief study of geology taught me that rocks in streams become smooth because water runs over them constantly.  The water carries sand and other particles which collide and scrape against the rocks.  Through this process, the rough edges of the rocks are worn away and the rocks become round and smooth.

The stones that David chose as his weapons against Goliath, the enemy of God, were likely in that stream for years, patiently getting their rough edges smoothed as sand and other rocks bumped against them.  I want to be smooth.  I want to be used.  I want to destroy things that work against God’s will in my life.  But as much as I don’t want to admit it, I’ve still got some rough edges that need to be smoothed out.

Over the years, God has consistently used circumstances, family and friends to bump up against my will and sand away pride, stubbornness and impatience. This process is sometimes painful, but always profitable.

I’m determined to stay in the stream of God and yield as He smoothes out my rough edges.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.