A rolling stone gathers no moss

“When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops to you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Genesis 4:12

A rolling stone gathers no moss means someone is a drifter and does not stay in one place. This is an old proverbial metaphor comparing a person who won’t settle down, to a stone in motion. Moss will only grow on stationary objects.

Daddy used to tell the story of drifters stopping by their house from time to time when he was a kid asking for food. He said his mom would always prepare them something to eat. Many were passing through looking for work.

Moses was also somewhat of a drifter because he had a life full of unexpected events totally changing the trajectory of his life. From birth he was cast into the river and drifted into the house of Pharaoh which I guess is the first unofficial adoption. He had a life of privilege until he had to flee because he murdered an Egyptian.

Time passes and he is now a modest married man with a child just tending his flock when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Once again he is uprooted so he and his family set out on the task to free his people from bondage.

No moss ever gathered on Moses because God used him as a vessel to bring His people to the promised land. He wandered for 40 years, becoming a nomad without a place to call home, yet his faith in God was constant. Moses became one of the great prophets without being rooted in one particular place. I think the lesson to be learned is God can use us regardless of where we live, how many times we move, or what our occupation ends up being. All we have to have is a willing spirit and a heart eager to please God.