First Sunday of Lent Devotional by Paul Galbreath

Making Room for Rocks

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Dr. George “Tink” Tinker of the Osage Tribe. In his remarks, he noted that his daughter was taught in school that rocks are inert.  In response to this characterization, he described the way in which he and others know and experience rocks as alive and an integral part of the entire eco-system in which we live.  

It is interesting to note the way that following his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus’ first temptation is to commodify rocks, to turn them into something else.  “The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’” (Matthew 4:3). 

This year the season of Lent invites us to look closely at our lives and at the world around us – to listen carefully so that we might hear the ways in which even the stones shout out to the glory of God.  Seeing the rocks for what they are and not simply for the ways that we can use them, extract the minerals from them, or move them out of our way is an important step in finding a more balanced way to live in this world.  I experience the gift of rocks especially in the beauty of the formations along the Oregon Coast where the giant boulders serve as a home for wildlife, navigational aids for fishing boats, and a photographic mecca for tourists and locals. 

Prayer: O God, our rock and redeemer, by your Spirit open our eyes to see your presence in the world around us, through Christ we pray. Amen

Paul Galbreath is Professor of Theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He lives in Asheville with his wife, Jan, and their two cats, Paco and Leo.