“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
Rain and sun are both foe and friend to the flower; giving life yet having the power to destroy. However, the flower does what it was made to do regardless of the elements. It brings glory to God whether it lives or dies. God gave me this poem today as I was contemplating why I feel so beaten up at times and why I still struggle with strongholds of lies after so many years of healing:
A flower blooms in season,
Not fearing scorching heat
Nor does it close to raindrops’ pelting force.
It opens for one reason,
God’s glory will it meet
To serve its purpose, thriving in The Source!
Like us, in good conditions a flower thrives, getting renewed and sustained by both the sun and the rain. In harsh conditions, though, it may look withered yet stands firm until the last petal falls. We too are to persevere! God not only calls us to bloom but to persevere in His power through all circumstances. In other words we are to believe Him at all times. Believing “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;” (Romans 8:28-29). These verses are true, regardless of your past experience or current situation.
Therefore, no matter what, there is a “good” thing happening. We are all being transformed into the likeness of Christ! So what do we focus on? Certainly not our failures or irritations! We are to set our hope on the grace that is coming! (1 Peter 1:13) We are to stand, “For the Lord GOD helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7) We are living in order to die for His glory and are to reflect His image not our own. For someone like me who has experienced dysfunction, rejection and abandonment it is a daily battle. Every conversation needs to be filtered through God’s truth; “taken captive and made obedient to Christ.” But, every time I allow God’s chisel to chip away at my selfish, broken heart of stone He becomes clearer than ever before! Oh LORD, if I have to be pelted in order to die so that I may live, let the rain pour down on me! You are my Hope and my Salvation!
havhope.com 