Even the rocks cry out...

We really don’t have seasons on the equator. It’s mid 80s and humid all year round.

But my 4 years of experience have taught me that September is different. There is less rain; so it is a little less humid, yes, but it also means that it is hotter. Mid 90s become the normal.

This year, this difference has been even more obvious as Ecuador finds itself in the most severe drought of the last 60 years.

This means more bugs. More heat. Less water. Less sleep.

And for a country that was already in an ‘energy crisis’ and heavily depends on the hydroelectric power generated by rivers, this also has also meant daily 10-hour power cuts to conserve electricity. These cuts are currently predicted to last until December.

Objectively speaking, the circumstances are difficult and are taking a toll on everyone’s physical and mental health.

I have also felt it taking its toll on my spiritual health as I find it easier and easier to fall into complaining and self-pity.

This leads me to consider what it is that I depend on.

Because, the truth of the matter is, nothing upon which my salvation rests has been touched. I am still a sinner and Christ is still my Savior.

I went to worship practice early on Saturday, for the sake of spending some time in worship alone at the church before everyone else got there.

I played one of my favorite songs, which has the line:

“Even the rocks cry out, so I’ll cry out.

Heaven and earth will sing, so I’ll sing.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!

You will find me singing worthy!

Worthy is the Lamb!” -Holy (Song of the Ages)

This struck me in a new way.

With A.C. free afternoons, I have found myself more often at the river, which keeps getting smaller and smaller. As the river get smaller, more of the river rock gets exposed.

The song connected the visual I had of the river rock with the act of praise, and I was humbled.

An inanimate object, which can do nothing except accept what is happening around it and to it, is crying out praises to its Creator.

In Luke 19:40 Jesus is responding to the Pharisees who are chastising the disciples for their exuberant praise to the LORD for all He had done:

“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Why, of all things, would it be the stones that cry out?

Could it have been all creation?

Everything that has breath?

Maybe.

But Jesus chooses to say that stones are the thing that would declare the praise of our Heavenly Father. And as I see more stones and less greenery around me, I am beginning to suspect it was intentional.

It is easier to imagine things with breath could praise:

“Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.

Wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

Kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and rulers on earth,

Young men and women, old men and children.” (Psalm 148:2, 10-12)

Perhaps the nature that surrounds us would also be easy to imagine as well:

“Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.

Praise Him, you highest of heavens and you water above the skies.

You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars.” (Psalm 148: 3-4, 9)

Even the unseen forces of nature can be seen:

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at His command they were created,

And He established them for ever and ever- He issued a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding.” (Psalm 148: 5-8)

But stones? They don’t do anything.

They are formed slowly over time by other things happening to them.

They are eroded slowly over time by other things happening to them.

And right now, I see them most when other things are not growing.

Yet they praise.

This is not a statement of the power of stones rather the power of He who created them and His worthiness of praise by any and all things.

His very being is so holy and perfect, the inanimate cry out in recognition of His majesty.

There is no passivity in the presence of God.

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever” I hold the keys of death and Hades.’” (Revelation 1:17-18)

The fact that He invites us to enter into His presence should cause praise to erupt out of the depth of our very being.

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13)

Talking with a friend the other day, she reflected that the only regret we might have while standing in eternity and looking back on our mere breath of a life is that we did not praise Him more.

He is at work.

In the drought.

In the storm.

In the calm.

He is in it all, sculpting something more beautiful that we could ever imagine.

And He has decided to include us in it, to bring glory to His name.

What an honor and privilege, to be chiseled and formed by the Master Artist.

So, as the rain began to fall, even for a short time, I danced in the rain, rejoicing in my Savior who cares for the lilies of the field and the many hairs upon my head.

We are not forgotten, but are in fact the beloved.

“Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for His name alone is exalted;

His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

And He has raised up for His people a horn (strength),

the praise of all His faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to His heart.

Praise the LORD.” (Psalm 148: 13-14)

May His praise be ever on our lips.

Thank you for reading my words and walking this journey with me. I am encouraged to know you are with me in this.

I ask for your prayers over Ecuador as we deal with drought and all the secondary effects, that our leadership (both local and national) would be wise in making decisions and that the Lord would bring us rain.

I also ask you to join me in praise over the faithfulness of our God:

• For the new leadership at our school who is leading diligently and faithfully.

• For the smoothest start to a school year yet.

• For the 3 years of relationship that I have with my students and the fruit I get to see because of that.

• For the incredible English team I get to work with every day.

• For the constant companionship of God in every season of life.

• For all the ways He is still at work in me, a broken vessel.

• For everything that He will do as He carries out His masterpiece in love.

Thank you.

Bendiciones!

-Katie

P.S. If you're curious about the song I was referencing, here it is!