Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.” Exodus 33:21 (NIV)
Have you ever noticed that there are many Bible references to standing or being on rocks? Lately I’ve been wondering … why rocks? When I think of the majesty of God, I think of far grander things than rocks. I think of mountains, canyons, and ranges higher than the eye can see.
I don’t think of rocks.
Yet one of the most well-known Bible stories is Jesus’s parable of the man who built his house on a rock. (Matthew 7:24-27) I learned this story as a child, and I can still belt out a wonderful rendition of the Sunday school song.
Until recently, my image of this ‘solid rock’ was a vision of me atop a river rock, the stream swirling and rushing around me, but unable to touch me. When I’d thought about building my house on a rock, I thought of a rocky outcrop. I thought of a land mass the raging river would run around and never penetrate because of its strength. But the Lord recently gave me a different visual of ‘standing on the rock’.
He gave me Uluru.
You may be familiar with Uluru, one of Australia’s most prominent natural wonders. This huge monolith is located in Australia’s ‘red center’ desert area. It is estimated to be over 600 million years old and originally sat at the bottom of the sea. Uluru stands 348 meters (1140 feet) above ground, but the most impressive thing about this ‘rock’ is that most of it is underground.
It is estimated to stretch over 1.6 miles down, but nobody knows how much of the rock is under the ground. Just like an iceberg that draws its strength from its underwater bulk, Uluru is firmly planted, unmovable in its arid environment.
This incredible natural wonder was originally known—and remains better known—as Ayers Rock, named after Sir Henry Ayers, an Australian politician. Uluru has now officially reverted to its traditional name, as it has great cultural significance for traditional landowners, the Aboriginal Anangu people.
I first visited Ayers Rock when I was nineteen. I was amazed by how different it was to physically stand in front of this land mass. I thought I had seen enough of it in books, on television, and in school, but being there was different.
I visited Uluru again with my son a few years ago. We both marveled at its size and magnificent presence. For reasons unexplained, this enormous rock inspires a deeper feeling inside for many. It’s more than just a rock. Its existence moves both head and heart. Uluru is a very special ‘rock’, and I have an appreciation and respect for the Anangu people and their desire to protect and preserve it.
I have never climbed to the top of Uluru, but many do. The going is tough, slippery, and steep. Some have lost their lives making the attempt. On my first visit I didn’t get past the first steep pass where the chain rope begins. I completely understand the Anangu people’s request that people don’t climb it—even though this request is not enforced. On my second visit I decided to take a sunrise helicopter flight over the rock. This was when I realized just how high and spectacular Uluru is.
So, now that you know more about Uluru, you can appreciate the impact of my recent ‘rock’ vision—little old me standing atop this massive, unmovable, unshakable rock. This vision made me realize that when we read or sing …
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
… that the Lord is not only talking about the rock in the stream, or the rocky outcrops. He’s also talking about Uluru.
Dear reader, next time you find yourself being shaken by the inevitable hardships of life, I urge you to stop for a moment, close your eyes and picture yourself on the top of Uluru. Up there, you are high above the arid, dry, dangerous landscape around you. And if you seek Him, the Lord will plant your feet on His firm ground, and you will stop shaking. He is solid, underneath you, holding you up for many miles deeper than you can see.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)
Facts and information about Uluru taken from: http://uluru-australia.com/
Thank you for the new picture of standing on a rock. It was enriching.
ThNk you for this lovely devotion. I love rocks and have climbed a few in my time, including Uluṟu almost 30 years ago. It was a steep slog the first part. I was climbing with my sons, but could not keep up with them. I told them to go on, to look after our little son as the wind was strong. I plodded on and finally made it, signed the book and told the boys to take my photo as I would not be doing it again. Many years ago, more than fifty, I went rock climbing on the Queensland New South Wales border. Some of our group went part way but only one other girl and some of the boys went the whole way. The last part was almost sheer cliff face. It was not too bad going up, but coming down was more difficult, having to put a foot down and feel for a firm foothold before I could let go. A year later at Bible College, our lecturer described Faith as ‘stepping out into the seeming void and finding the rock beneath’
Loved your analogy, Rose. It’s a very special place to visit; one cannot do so and remain unchanged or ambivalent. I was blessed to be involved in a reconciliation event with the Anangu Community (and many others) at Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Yulara in 1999, and subsequently travel to and engage with a number of Indigenous Communities and get-togethers across the Top End. Truly wonderful experience.
By the way, I’m now I’m happily singing, “The wise man built his house upon the rock” with you.