Throughout
London, there are statues and other items made from a unique building material
called Coade stone. Developed by Eleanor Coade for her family business in the late
1700s, this artificial stone is virtually indestructible and has the capacity
to withstand time, weather, and man-made pollution. Though it was a marvel
during the Industrial Revolution, Coade stone was phased out in the 1840s
following Eleanor’s death, and it was replaced by Portland cement as a building
material. In spite of that, however, there remain today dozens of examples of
this sturdy, ceramic-like stone that have withstood the harsh London
environment for over 150 years.
The
apostle Peter described Jesus as a living stone. He wrote, “Coming to Him as to
a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you
also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
Precious in the eyes of the Father is the sacrifice of the Rock of our
salvation. Christ is the enduring stone upon which the Father has built our
salvation and the only foundation for meaningful life (1 Cor. 3:11).
It is only as our lives are built upon His strength that we will be able to endure the harshness of life in a fallen world.
We have nothing to fear if we stay close to the Rock of Ages – God. (RBC)
