A couple of weeks ago, I ran in one of the largest fun runs in the world, the "Run Around the Bays" along Auckland's eastern bays. Over 70,000 people participated so you can imagine the first two kilometer's felt like cattle running down a chute. Runner's, walker's, kids, stroller's and even a dude on a unicycle. Great experience and worth causes.
I was scheduled to speak that Sunday at one of our Korean churches in the afternoon so I enjoyed the morning sun, wind and scenery and decided to sit on some jetty rocks along the bay going into the ocean. Turning my ipod on, I sat back on a smooth rock and listened to words like;
Come, Come, Come to the river,
You are the living water.
Wash me clean, wash me clean.
In this place we have found freedom,
Cleansing streams have set us free.
You are all that we ever need, Jesus, Jesus.
(Come to the River by Parachute Band)
The warmth of the sun, God's Spirit blowing all over me and witnessing his creation all around me became my sanctuary that morning. I thought to myself, "Here I am sitting on a rock, sitting with The Rock of Ages."
Playing and climbing over the rocks on the jetty were little children with their fathers walking alongside them, watching, smiling, waiting.
A girl with curly hair around the age of 4 made her way over to me. She was loving the freedom and experience of climbing the rocks that were as big if not larger than her. I paused the music when I begin to hear her say something.
"I'm walking on the rocks!" "You sure are", I said. "I'm staying on these rocks forever!"
I couldn't help but smile. Really big.
Someday child, someday. We will not be standing on the Rock but will be walking alongside Him forever and He will not be able to stop smiling. Really big.
