I remember the first time I saw Devils Tower. It was 18 years ago in February when we came out to candidate. We drove out to the Tower to take a look, turned around in the KOA parking lot, and went back to the parsonage for the afternoon. Apparently, I wasn’t impressed. It was just a big rock with a greenish tinge to it.
Over the years, I have driven by this same monument hundreds of times and have hiked around it dozens of times – every time missionaries or family come to visit. Several times, I have been wowed by the clouds making rings around the top, by the reflection of the morning or evening light off of the wet or snow covered sides, and once by the most incredible lightning show I have ever seen.
What impresses me most about the Tower is not how beautiful it is, after all, it is still just a big rock. What impresses me the most is that it is always there, through night and day, spring and fall, good weather and bad weather.
As Christians, perhaps this is how we should make our presence known in our community. We don’t need to be fancy or spectacular. We don’t need to be perfect, jagged edges will suffice. We just need to be there and easy to find. We need to be available to rejoice with others in good times. We need to be ready to weep with those who are suffering in bad times. We need to keep a constant presence, always ready to help and to minister the love of Christ to anyone and everyone who passes by.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15