Be a Cairn
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Ps. 32:8 NIV)
“Don’t be a Karen” is something you may have heard or seen around social media on memes. It’s usually funny and accurate. And yes, while we should strive not to be a “Karen,” I would like to propose that we instead be a cairn. While the terms sound similar, their meanings are completely different.
Merriam-Webster defines a cairn as “a heap of stones piled up as a memorial or as a landmark.”
And while I’m not implying we live as a heap of stones, I feel we can indeed be living cairns.
Cairns Offer Direction
A couple of months ago, my family went on an adventure to multiple national parks. We toured caves, climbed sand dunes, hiked down below the rims of canyons, and marveled time and time again at God’s amazing handiwork.
In Canyonlands National Park, we did a hike that required us to climb two wooden ladders that led us to the top of slickrock sandstone. We enjoyed the views and had fun exploring this new world. It was completely different from the area of dirt and brush we had just left; we were now on top of sandstone, and it was wide open. While it was fascinating being on top of the sandstone, I soon realized there was no path to follow up there.
I asked my husband, “How do we know which way to go?” He replied, “We need to find the cairns.”
Sure enough, once I looked more intently at the sandstone, I found a cairn. A few stones were piled up as a landmark to give me direction, so I knew which way I needed to go. After I found the first cairn, the second was easily found, and then the next. The cairns gave us direction and made a path for us to finish our hike and not get lost.
Many people in this world are lost. They are standing in the midst of a wide-open area and need direction. Just as those heaps of stones provided direction for my family, we, too, can offer guidance and direction to those who are lost.
Most importantly, we can point to the One who directs our steps.
Cairns Remind Us of How Far We’ve Come
When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. (Josh 4:1-7 NIV)
It gives me chills thinking about the last part of those verses: “When your children ask what those stones mean to you.” Those twelve stones were a cairn. They were a reminder to the Israelites of what God had done and from where they had come.
Sometimes I feel defeated and like I am not making any progress. Or I find myself in a valley season and unable to remember all the times God’s faithfulness has seen me through.
Be a cairn to those who are struggling to see God in their current situations. Remind them of how God has been faithful in the past and that he will continue to be faithful. We can remind people of how far they have come in their faith journeys.
Dear Heavenly Father, in a world of Karens, help me to be a cairn. Help me to be a person who points to you. Help me to offer godly wisdom and direction to those who are seeking. Lord, help me also to come alongside those who are struggling to remember your goodness and faithfulness, struggling to remember how far they have come in their walk with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you, Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Ps. 143:8 NIV)
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.” (Ps. 25:4-6 NIV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 NIV)
Reach for More
Be a cairn! Is there someone in your life who is lost? Is there someone who is struggling in their spiritual life or personal life? Be a cairn. Offer guidance and direction. Remind them of God’s faithfulness. Point to Jesus and, if needed, stack some stones.
is living the full life with her husband, Jeff, four kids, and a dog in Metro Detroit. Heather enjoys reading, writing, coffee-ing, and serving in youth ministry. She was born a Jersey girl and feels most at home on a beach. She is the host of the monthly link-up, Share Four Somethings. You can join Heather on the journey to living the full life at www.heathergerwing.com.
Photograph © Shrey Kashyap, used with permission
