Recently I had the privilege to travel to Spain on a missions trip through Women’s Ministries. We had such a wonderful time together, ministering and visiting with our missionaries there. On one of the days of our trip, after visiting Madrid, Spain, we traveled to Granada, Spain, and then south to Salobreña, Spain, which is by the Mediterranean Sea. We walked along the beautiful beach having a good time admiring the scenery and feeling the cool breeze. I love rocks, so I naturally began collecting those that caught my eye, hoping to take them home to share with my family. Sadly I had to leave some behind due to my luggage space if you know what I mean. However, there are three rocks that I kept for myself because in my spirit I felt God speaking to me through their shapes. After returning home from that wonderful trip, these rocks now act as a trigger that help me recall the message God gave me through these lovely rock shapes.
One rock was the shape of an ear- “A Listening Ear”.
God is saying, “Most are not listening to me. There is much noise among my people. Many speak and sing in my Name, but I hear not. And then when I speak, they hear not.”
If we want to hear Him speak, we must be quiet and be focused on what He is saying.
We should shut out the noisy world around us and focus our thoughts. God is someone we can hear, and the Bible is the main tool through which He speaks.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 (NKJV)
The second rock was the shape of a heart- “A Caring Heart”.
God is saying, “My heart is crying out for the lost. Only when my people’s hearts connect with my heart, will they feel and see my desire. My heart yearns for the lost. My heart is love. Without me your hearts have no love. Because I am love, you will love too.”
God’s desire is that we become united with Him. He wants to fill our hearts and our entire being. He desires to have His hands in our hands and His feet in our feet so that we will go and do what He desires.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength… Love your neighbor as you love yourself…” Mark 12:30 (NCV)
And the third rock was the shape of a diamond- “A Brilliant Diamond”.
God is saying, “To the faithful I say, you are my diamonds. You have been made beautiful through your trials. You are my treasure forever. Many will come to me through your radiance. Guard always what I have made you. Do not hide your light where it cannot be seen.” As Jesus perfects us as diamonds through the Holy Spirit, we should be so transparent that God’s Light can shine through us and be reflected by us giving off a colorful brilliance. “You are the light that gives light to the world ….you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NCV)
May our prayer always be that we LISTEN with a listening ear, CARE with a caring heart, and SHINE like a brilliant diamond!
Lydia Trevino is a board member for the General Women’s Ministries Board.