In the Old Testament, the places where important spiritual events and godly encounters took place were marked by pillars of stones — a remembrance and reminder of the great things God had done.
After meeting with God on Mt. Sinai and receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses built an altar and twelve stone pillars (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) at the foot of the mountain. After his angelic dream, when God promised to return him to the promised land, Jacob set up a stone as a pillar and named the place Bethel — House of God. And Joshua, following God’s instructions, had the Israelites build a pillar with 12 stones, one from each tribe, on the edge of the
Jordan River after God stopped the water’s flow so the entire nation of Israel could cross it.
We don’t build pillars as reminders of important events anymore. But we mark them with gatherings, capture them in photos, and (if you’re sentimental like me) hold onto the cards with well-wishes from family and friends.
As we move into the season of milestone celebrations — parenthood, graduation, marriage — you may want to tap into some of these resources.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
-Psalms 103:2
