My barn was old and weathered, but it was savable. Some paint and a new roof and it would be as good as new. However, there was a deeper problem than what someone could see on the surface. A corner of the barn’s foundation had started to crumble. Soon, large chunks of the foundation fell away, causing the barn to tilt and lean until it fell. The barn was now unsavable and needed to be torn down—all because of a few rocks at the corner of the foundation.
The authorities arrested Peter and John for sharing about Christ and healing a man who could not walk. They were brought before the high priests and questioned about whose name they had used to do this. They could have just said they healed through the power of Jesus, but they went on to specify how Jesus, the cornerstone, had been rejected. Why point this out? Because the cornerstone was the one stone essential for keeping the building upright. The building would stand through storms and trials if the cornerstone was there. Take it away and the building would crumble.
People have various cornerstones: sports, approval from others, promotions. The list is endless. But will those things help us stand when life gets hard, and we’re thrown into difficult situations? Will they support us when things crumble?
Jesus is the only true cornerstone who can support and guide. Let Jesus be your cornerstone, and keep an old barn standing.
Nicole Monroe carries the heart of a child and a passion for God into all she writes. As a farm girl and the proud aunt of more nieces and nephews than she can count, her stories for children engage the senses and bring God’s creatures to life. She’s written for numerous publications, including Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Junior and Starlight Magazine. You can often find her explaining technology to digitally challenged adults or walking the fields as new stories come together, begging to be told. You can find Nicole through social media @Nicole_monroe_author.