We had the privilege of being blessed with a week at the sea recently. I have been dealing with some hard things lately and this was a very welcome break away from home. Now I love the ocean a lot, there are so many beautiful things to see when you are sitting next to this beautiful creation of the Lord.
As I sat there thinking about the hurt, stress and things currently in my life, Speaking to a dear friend on the phone about it I saw all these stones. Beautiful stones, stones that started out with rough edges and and bumps, stones that people probably would not have taken a second glance at before, are admired and even collected. Then it hit me, if these stones where not in the ocean where they have been tossed to and fro by the waves and grinded by the sand, they probably still would have been "ugly" and unwanted.
You see, being a disciple of Jesus will mean that we have to go into the hard places and no matter what we do, there will be waves and sand and even other stones like that we will bump into. Jesus' words of counting the cost (Luke 14: 25-33;34-35)rings so much truer to me now, you see Jesus promised us that it would be tough. So many of us want it easy, but being a disciple of Jesus is not going to be easy at all as we are literally cast into the ocean amongst the waves where it is rough. I am reminded of Jesus' words to the 12 as he sent them out in Matthew 10; in verse 16a he said: "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves" (ESV). Go read through the whole of chapter 10, it is a reminder of what some of the cost of being a disciple can be.
Me and my friend spoke about how people in ministry seems as if they immediately step in front of a firing squad of Satan, how they are attacked from all sides the moment they take that step of faith. It is then that it hit me, even though a lot of sufferings these past 8 years in the missions community has been tough, and like the most recent one; excruciatingly painful, it was all beneficial to me. How can I say that? Well, through all of these hard times God has been present and He has been using it as a way of shaping me more into the stone that He wants me to be.
My heart resonates With James' words : " Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." [(James 1:2-4) HCSB]. I know that my Saviour has sent me into the world to be the salt and light so others can get to know Him too, I will make a decision to gladly face these trials with joy, no matter how tough they are. My Redeemer knows what He has pictured for me in the end, I will be His work of art bringing Him glory just like these stones on the beach. I will trust Him, because His Word says in Romans 8:28; " We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." (HCSB).
How about you? Are you willing to be tossed into the ocean? To endure hardships for my King, your King?
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