The Rock Higher Than I

If you’re living on this planet with me … and I’m going to go on the premise that you are … I would imagine that like me, sometimes your life looks chaotic, confusing, painful, or any other descriptions you might come up with. Most of us have lives that are so busy we can have trouble keeping up with just the simple things that really do have to happen: laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, getting to and from work, paying bills, and/or doctor visits, just to name a few. And if you have kids still in the home, everything is multiplied many times over. It’s no wonder that even in the best and smoothest times of our lives we can feel less than adequate to keep up with the demands.

In those times when things aren’t smooth … in fact, they’re downright stormy … and you feel a little like a ship tossed about in a storm, or a defenseless mouse being stalked by multiple cats, we can easily begin to feel overwhelmed and think we might be on the verge of drowning without a rescue in sight. Believe me, I’ve been there more than once. If we’re brave enough to be honest, I’m guessing all of us have those kinds of stories to tell. We are broken people, living in a broken world – it would be weird to find someone who’s never, ever been there!

But every once-in-a-while in my life, when I’m paying attention, I can see God put something in front of me, where I can’t miss it – something I already know but tend to forget … especially in those stressful times. It happened today. It was during one of my devotions which was based on this verse: “From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2 NASB) The question that was posed to me was “what would the outcome be of being led to that rock?” I’m not sure I’ve ever really thought about it in quite this way before, but here’s what came to me.

Standing on a “rock higher than I” means I’ll be able to see over the top of the chaos that may be surrounding me. (I’m only 5’4, so there are a lot of things I can’t see over.) And with a higher vantage point, I might have a view of possibilities that are hidden from me when I’m standing on the ground staring directly at my current circumstances. Have you noticed how a messy situation looks when you’re standing smack in the middle of it, as opposed to seeing it from a little farther away? First, from a distance it just naturally looks smaller. Plus, from there you may be able to pick out items on the periphery of the mess, ones you might be able to use to clean it up … people or things you couldn’t see or didn’t notice before.

But getting to the top of the rock may mean I have to be willing to drop whatever weight I’m carrying – the disagreement with my husband; that kid who’s out of control; those never-ending chores that keep piling up; the boss who’s making me crazy … in order to focus on the climb. And, of course, in this case the Scripture says the “rock” we’re speaking of is the Lord. Verse 3 goes on to say, “For you have been a refuge for me. A tower of strength against the enemy.” Isn’t that what we all want and need? A place of refuge to run to, somewhere to feel safe and cared for?

For myself, I’m beginning to see that the longer I live, the more aware I’m becoming of how completely out of my league I am in many, many areas. So, just the thought that I can take all my messes and stresses – and there are plenty of them – and drop them at the base of that “rock” can make my head stop spinning and my heart calm down. However, as I said before, the trick for me is remembering that’s available, before I’m overwhelmed by anything … or everything!

So, what are the first two things I need to do? LET GO … and … LOOK UP. Sometimes, if I just do that, I find it won’t be necessary for me to climb. Because from where I’m standing, right there at the base of the Rock, my vision is already shifting and clearing. I realize I’m able to see past all the things that make my heart faint, and gaze at the one who neither sleeps nor slumbers – and knows me better than I know myself. (Psalm 121) And that is enough. But … I might want to climb up anyway – just to get a little bit closer …