We had a rock tumbler when I was growing up. For a while, all the stones we picked up on our travels went straight into the tumbler as soon as we got home. They’d tumble around for a few days—and when the noise stopped, that meant it was time to take the rocks out, rinse them off, and put them back into the cannister for another round of tumbling. Each time, we had to add another type of “grit” to the rocks before we started tumbler up again.

It was an excruciatingly long process. And a noisy one. Our machine was small, and it was definitely not the top of the line. It made a big noise—for days and days and days on end.

But then there was the big reveal. When the tumbler stopped for the last time, we opened the cannister, removed the rocks, and saw what they’d become. Had we found precious treasures? Would there be beautiful colors and designs? Had the rocks crushed each other, leaving nothing but gravel? We never knew what we’d find until the tumbling was over.

The rocks didn’t change what they were. One didn’t become more like another. But, if everything went like it was supposed to, all those rocks continuously bumping into one another in the tumbler revealed the inner beauty of each one.

Just the way you are

One of my favorite songs in the late 70s was Just the Way You Are, by Billy Joel. He sang, “Don’t go changing to try and please me,” and I melted. We all want someone to see us and love us without trying to change us, right?

But, looking back, I realize that the relationships I’ve cherished most, did make an impact on me. In a good, healthy, loving relationship you don’t have to become someone you aren’t and weren’t meant to be. You’re accepted—as you are. But, you do learn and grow.

Inevitably, when people from different backgrounds, with different personalities and habits come together, they bump heads. This is not a bad thing.

If you and I always agree, one of us is unnecessary. On the other hand, when I bump into you and you bump into me, God begins to reveal the beauty of what he created us each to be.

When I bump into you
and you bump into me
God begins to reveal the beauty
of what he created
us each to be.

crg

Life in the rock tumbler isn’t always pleasant.

We can be impatient. We can be unkind. We can refuse to listen and understand. When we collide, we can break each other.

Or we can let God do his thing in our midst—adding the grit of love, grace, and forgiveness into our tumbling and bumbling.

The process may seem interminably long. We may make a ruckus that is painful to the ears—and our hearts. But in the end, when the big reveal comes, we’ll see what we’re made of.

Spoiler alert. You and I? We’re made of something fearfully strong and wonderfully beautiful. We’re made in the image of God. Sometimes we’ve got to do some bumping up against each other to see our it.

What should we do when we collide?

We have a choice. We can insist on our own way when we rumble and tumble—and refuse learn from each other. We could go to the other extreme, put aside who God created us to be, and try to become who someone else wants us to be. Both choices take us out of the tumbler, and we miss out on God’s purpose and design. There’s a third choice.

 Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

EPHESIANS 4:15-16 (TLB)

That sounds good, doesn’t it? Living in truth—leaning into the bump. Becoming more like Jesus—not trying to be like each other, but each of us, in our own special, beautiful, wonderful way, helping each other grow in love.

Come Alongside

How about we come alongside each other? The next time we bump up against another rock, instead of saying, “Excuse you!” let’s step back and take a good look. Let’s ask, how is God using this person to knock off some of my rough edges? How is he using me to bring out character of Jesus in them?

Let’s give thanks for the other rocks in our tumblers. Let’s praise God for the ways he continues his work in us–sanctifying us and making us holy.

Please share your thoughts in the comments. I always love to hear about God’s work in your life!

Traveling in Grace,

Christi