This week I've been reminded of what it's like to ride a see-saw. When I was a child, the up and down ride used to be fun. This week was filled with highs and lows but I wouldn't describe it as fun. There were moments of triumph and hope as well as times when defeat seemed at hand. I'm not particularly proud of the way I faced the sorrows.
It's easy to cheer when we stand on a mountain top, but it's our time in the valleys that reveal who we really are. If only the world were made up only of sunny days and smooth sailing--that would be blissful. Right? If that's all we knew what kind of people would we be? Where would we find our fortitude or learn to be grateful for our many blessings? And what of the saying, without winter we wouldn't know how precious spring is.
There is a profound portion of scripture in Philippians two. Paul speaks of how we should live and about his becoming a drink offering. Remarkably, he rejoices in his sacrifice. He writes, "But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a drink offering to God." He wrote this letter to the Philippians while in prison, and yet his thoughts are with those who have believed and those who have yet to understood the sacrifice of Christ. Clearly he has given all he is to the Lord and is willing to offer up his very life. How did he come to such a place?
Paul lived through many sorrows and travails. He suffered harshly for his faith, yet he persevered, gladly. He was crushed just as grapes are crushed before they can be made into wine and to then be an offering to God.
Perhaps like me, you long to be like Paul, to offer yourself to God with gladness and in faith, to be a drink offering for the Lord.
However, there is an obstacle--one cannot drink grapes.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
Bonnie, what a great blog. I really liked the last part about not being able to drink the grapes. When you think about it, the grapes are squeezed, crushed and fermented. So many of us want the wine of life w/o any of the process that goes w/ it. God bless you and may He keep you safe in His loving arms and hold you close to His heart. Julie Engler, Idleyld Park, OR
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting. I would guess you have been squeezed, crushed and fermented--for you know the truth of the process. Thanking God for you.
And I so appreciate your payers, which are dearly needed.
God's blessings to you.
This is a wonderful image, Bonnie. And unless we are squeezed, we cannot produce the fine wine the Lord wants to pour out, through us, to others. I've been in my own time of squeezing. The Lord is using it to narrow my focus to give me a broader vision. Like an estuary, my sister said, flowing out to the ocean. That's a nice image. :)We do not lose heart, but hope in the Lord, who will accomplish all that concerns us.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace to YOU from God, dear collegue and friend.
:) Miriam
Hello dear Miriam.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear from you. I'm sorry that you've been going through a time of squeezing, but fine wines require squeezing--you're one of the finest.
Your sister is so right and she must have the writing gene--what beautiful imagery.
Love you. I will be praying for you.