Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Pink Floyd's most famous song is a challenge to the kind of system that forces people into pre-determined roles whatever their individual gifts and talents: 'All in all you're just another brick in the wall'. It's a call to liberate creativity, particularly in the young.
In 1 Peter 2, the author uses a similar metaphor, but in a completely different way. Christ was a 'stone' rejected by the people because he didn't correspond to their idea of a Messiah – he didn't fit into the wall. But God made him the cornerstone, the stone which supports the whole building and from which all the others take their alignment. His followers are 'living stones'. So, says Peter, 'let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ' (verse 5).
Being a Christian is a co-operative effort. We aren't just individuals with a personal relationship with God: we're part of a body of believers, and we live in relationship to other people. Being a brick in the wall is an honour: we're living stones, who've chosen and been chosen to be part of building something wonderful – a 'spiritual temple', which speaks to the world of the glory of God. We are meant to show the world what it is meant to be. We fail quite miserably at this a lot of the time, but that's our sacred calling (verses 9–10).
God, thank you for the privilege of being part of your great work here on earth. Show me what it means to be a living stone, called out of darkness into your marvellous light.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
Read the Bible 
Processing...