Todays Reading: 1 Peter 4
Several weeks ago, Jillian and I embarked on a wellness journey together to renew our bodies, minds, spirit and relationship. The adventure that we are on focuses our energy to rethink how we eat and what we eat. I have had to take a few more doses of “will power” and dedication to stay committed. Some of my favorite foods are breads and grains to which this program is not ascribed. I have been eating a larger amount of the healthy foods: fruits and veggies. I have notice a positive change in my energy, focus, and endurance.
As I am retraining my mind and body I started to consume large amounts of fruits and veggies as I had previous mentioned. As an example, one day I packed for lunch and snacks: 1 bag of chopped carrots, 1 bag of chopped celery, a bag of pistachios, a fit-packer container of chicken and sweet potatoes and a apple and a pear. I felt almost like the hungry caterpillar. Throughout the day I consumed about 90% of the lunch, except for the pear. An aside, I am constantly purchasing too unripen fruit and my wife always reminds me. So with that stated, the pear was a beautiful green pear and hard as a rock when it was purchased. While on this journey, I would bring lunches as the one previously detailed to work and forgot about the pear.
About a week went by and I remembered the pear. I searched the fridge for the pear and finally found it at the back of the office fridge. It was bumped and bruised and soft and something really not appetizing. Then I remembered a story from my mission days about a traveler who would have the luxury of having pear. I had to just try and see if this pear would be any good. I took a bite and the pear was awesome. It had to be given a little bit of misuse and handling and struggles and strife to really allow the fullness of the flavor and refreshment to be fulfilled. It was so tasty that I almost ate the core.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Here we are told about the sufferings and pain that use Christians will face and what the rewards are. Its like this pear, when we are green and sparkling we are unripe and easy to watch and see. But the fullness of the manifestation of God is only seen when we have some bruises, some scars, some disappointments, some hard days, some crying nights, and some unrest. We have to have hope, because when we are at the lowest humbled level this is when God can and will do some amazing work in us and through us. We have to be vulnerable to allow the Spirit to make us bruised so that others can see the sweetness and awesomeness of God.
Take ways:
- Journeys with my wife are always fun and exciting
- The Spirit wants to work with you and make you ripe
- The more bruises that you have, the more work God has prepared
- As Paul states “ when I am weak, he is strong” – 2 Corinthians 12:10
Be blessed this week.