Damaged On The Journey

Acts 9:15-16 – But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man [Paul] is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Down in desert country there is a bush that produces seeds which must be damaged before they will grow. The shells of the seeds are hard, and coated with wax to keep out water. These seeds may lie dormant on the desert floor for several seasons before conditions are right for them to grow. When the torrential desert rains and flash floods come, these little seeds are carried down the slopes, bounced and banged against the rocks as they go. Only then do they begin to germinate, because the seeds begin to absorb moisture through the nicks and scratches they picked up on their tumultuous journey.

In the same way, those drastic things that happen to us may be exactly what God, in His wisdom, knows is needed to get us growing spiritually. An unexpected stay in hospital, stacks of unpaid bills, a death in the family, or some other family disruption, may cause difficulties that wound our sensitive spirits. Life's bruises may hurt for a while, but they can also mark the beginning of spiritual advances, as we begin to as the Lord about His purposes for us.

Prayer: Lord, be with us all along our life's journey, and convince us of your power, wisdom and love that surrounds every step of the way. Amen.