The sun was starting to rise over my shoulder as I walked the Oregon shoreline that soon led me to Haystack Rock.  Something about this rock at the ocean’s edge compelled me to it like iron to a magnet.  I’d heard it was huge, yet from my starting point a mile away, the rock seemed small and far from me.  I could not determine its characteristics—size, weight and color.  I had yet to experience it “up close and personal.”

As I continued walking, the rays of the sun moved to various parts of the rock, revealing more of it.  I began noticing new things about it, and so with each step my eagerness to get closer began to grow.  My pace increased.

Now at low tide, I stood as close as possible to the rock beholding its true size, beauty and magnificence.  Haystack Rock appeared huge beyond my imagination, and it looked so firmly planted that it surely would never move.  As I gazed at this rock, new sights caught my attention: the swirling water and tide pools at its base, and the many birds coming and going from their nests upon it.  I would have never noticed these had I not come close.  I wanted to stay there all day enjoying the breath-taking sight before me.

But in the long run it was not what I saw that impressed me most, but rather what I felt. In the presence of the rock I was suddenly aware of how massive and heavy it was, and what great strength and power I attributed to it.  By comparison I felt small, frail and helpless.  Yet it was not the rock that told me I was that way.  It was only when I drew near that I could make my own comparison.

Sometime later my thoughts returned to that walk on the beach and the feelings I had seeing the rock.  The experience somehow paralleled the spiritual walk I have taken over the years, drawing closer to my Savior, the Rock of my salvation.  I was drawn to Him, but at first He seemed small and far away.  I didn’t have any idea what a mighty God He is, but as I drew closer to Him, I began to see Him more clearly.  And the more I saw of Him, the more eager I became to stay close beside Him.

Time I spend in His presence is so pleasurable, so rewarding, that getting to know Him better has become my desire. In His presence, I realize my small size and weakness, but I also see what a big God He is.  Strong, unmovable, powerful, are just a few of His attributes, yet He loves me so much He died for the forgiveness of my sins. He bids me come, to know Him better and to allow His strength to flow through me.  With nail-pierced hands open wide to receive me, He simply says, “Come unto me.”

I gladly accept His invitation.

“For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (Psalm 18: 31-32 NIV)

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