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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD
Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 281 October 4, 2001
Peppermill
On the back of my stove, I keep a big grinder full of peppercorns. When I’m cooking, I prefer to use freshly ground pepper to the stuff that was ground eons ago and comes in a can or a bottle. The freshly ground stuff seems to have more of a bite or a zing to it.
My pepper mill has an assortment of black and white peppercorns in it. They look like little black and white bb’s and are as hard as little rocks.
They didn’t start that way though. They were fresh and soft when they were picked. Then they were left to dry and shrivel.
From there they were packaged and stayed in storage until I put them in the mill. Now they wait in a grinder, waiting to be crushed and ground up.
After they are ground though, and used in a meal, they are glorious. They add so much to the flavour of what I’m cooking. They have filled their role as peppers.
Sometimes, our Christian walk seems like those peppers. We’re doing fine and we get plucked and wander through the desert. Then we feel like we’re stuck on a shelf somewhere. We wonder where God is.
Suddenly, we go through a period of grinding, and of sifting. Finally though we’re released to do and be what God has called us to be.
We see it happen throughout the Scriptures. God allows His people to go through the desert, to wait, to be ground and sifted, until they are ready. Then He uses them in wondrous and unexpected ways.
Whatever you are going through, trust Him to guide you. Know that He has a plan and will fulfill it. Keep focused on Him regardless of the circumstances.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11 NIV
Until next time, remember that whatever you are going through, He walks with you. You never face it alone.
God bless.
Kevin
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© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin
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