In a recent message, I shared an illustration that has made an unmistakable impact on my life. I found this story in the devotional by L.B. Cowman, “Streams In The Desert” (July 7 entry):
“There is a very famous “Pebble Beach” at Pescadero, on the California coast. The long line of white surf comes up with its everlasting roar, and rattles and thunders among the stones on the shore. They are caught in the arms of the pitiless waves, and tossed and rolled, and rubbed together, and ground against the sharp-grained cliffs. Day and night forever the ceaseless attrition goes on–never any rest. And the result?
Tourists from all around the world flock to this beach to gather the round and beautiful stones. They are laid up in cabinets; they ornament the parlor mantels. But go yonder, around the point of the cliff that breaks off the force of the sea; and up in that quiet cove, sheltered from the storms, and lying ever in the sun, you shall find abundance of pebbles that have never been chosen by the traveler.
Why are these left all the years through unsought? For the simple reason that they have escaped all the turmoil and attrition of the waves, and the quiet and peace have left them as they found them, rough and angular and devoid of beauty.”
God is Polishing You
Dear Christian, are you experiencing incredibly difficult trials and hardships? Is your pain tempting you to give up or shake your fist at God? I beg you to remember this, “The beauty of the stone is in direct proportion to the degree of difficulty it has experienced.”
I absolutely believe God uses your trials and difficulties to polish you. He wants you to reflect the very image of Jesus as your suffering molds you into a man or woman of character. God Himself wants to put you on display for the entire world to see.
May God give you grace as He polishes you today.
Reflecting His glory,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor