COMING OUT AS GOLD. I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory 1pET.1:6-7. Once one has suffered deeply, identification with other’s pain can be immediate and instantly understood. I wonder if this is also one purpose in suffering? – to bond us together on an intimate level of compassion and love? At times in our lives, trials can feel like a Tsunami of devastation especially when those trials have to do with loss, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of health, loss of freedom… After the waves hit, the waters settle and the landscape reveals wreckage and ruin; it may seem impossible to rebuild. In these seasons, it is God Himself who pours out His grace and strengthens us to endure. It is God Himself who allows hope to rise from the ashes. It is God Himself who equips us and encourages us for the journey ahead. I was contemplating this recently – to be like the eagle that soars high above the noise and commotion, observing scenery and yet remaining removed. The eagle keeps a position that allows it wider perspective while retaining the ability to zoom in on what’s important to its survival. While the eagle has the ability to focus on something very small (it’s prey) we need to learn to keep our focus on Something very Big. Whether we’ve experienced the passing of a lifetime friend, lost the use of our legs, if we’ve been imprisoned for our faith or lost our livelihood, we will all face trials of one kind or another. We can learn to soar above life’s circumstances, above the din of pain which cries with a loud voice expecting all our attention, and turn our hearts and minds upon God Himself. An eagle is equipped to see something minute in the landscape far below. Let us turn our gaze heavenward allowing our hope and faith to remain in a position that enables it to endure, being carried on His wings. Like the eagle who soars effortlessly, we can enjoy the beauty of a landscape covered with His mercy and love and be carried to greater heights. We will all go through times of suffering. And if we are walking close to His side we will have times of persecution as well. May He blow the winds of His holy spirit upon us and may we, like the eagle, allow His gentle breeze to lift us up, giving us His strength, filling us with His love, bringing us closer to His heart. sOURCE:odb.org/?tz=02 24TH Nov 2014.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 07:41:35 +0000
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