Out of the mouths of babes...
Yesterday in church, the children were asked to name some of
the beautiful things God has created. One voice piped up, ‘Diamonds.’
That drew a laugh (as did, in response to the question of
what is necessary for life, the answer ‘broccoli’).
I keep thinking about the diamonds. Diamonds are created
from something dirty and ugly, when it is put under enormous pressure. I am
just such a thing. Something smudged by sin and misshapen by rebellion. When
the pressures of life bear down on me now, though, having given my life to Jesus
and trusting him to cleanse and purify me, I can expect that those pressures
are creating a diamond which will last forever.
And so, as James wrote, ‘Consider it a sheer gift, friends,
when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under
pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours.
So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you
become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.’ ... ‘Anyone who
meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty
fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and
more life.’ (The Message)
Diamonds are forever. And that's what we are becoming, through all the trials and tribulations. Thanks to God's grace and mercy.
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