“…we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
“But there’s nothing WRONG with them!” That’s what my bride had said to me, after she saw the metal outdoor chairs sitting across the street at a neighbor’s house. They had set the rusty things out for the garbage men to haul them to the dump! But she had seen them. And now they were safe from disposal, in my backyard. Still rusty! But SAFE… KINDA!
“All they need is a little paint,” she said. I laughed and thought, ‘if only that were true!’ Because the TRUTH was, in order for those chairs to be of ANY value, the rust had to be removed BEFORE paint could be applied! To do so I, their new owner, took sandpaper and a wire brush, then applied a lot of pressure to scrape and remove all the rust away from the good metal. If chairs could talk, they WHINED!
There is no doubt about it. No secret either! In order for God to use me, or ANYONE for the matter, there are steps that MUST be completed before I can go on to be worthy for His use. The 1st step?… I need to be acquired! I was born a sinner and destined for the dump of Hell. He saw me and called my name. Step 2? The sanding, grinding and brushing pain of removing what isn’t Godly!
It is only natural that I resist! And WHINE! I complain about my life circumstances and wonder “WHY I am going through what I am going through. Can’t you make it EASIER God? WHY ME?” merges into a minor chord concerto with others, piercing His ears. It’s a wonder He keeps at it! But He does. Because He has a PURPOSE for ME. His plan calls for me to be perfected through suffering, then put to WORK!
The 3rd and last step might be considered the hardest one of all. Because after he Calls and Cleanses me, by the Blood of His own son, the 3rd step is The CHOICE! I have to accept His Commission. To go and reach, teach or preach to other nasty sinners ‘The Gospel’ He has entrusted to ME. I am out to PLEASE HIM! Not others or myself. And THAT will bring even MORE suffering.
Receiving the ‘free gift’ of eternal life is easy. Going on to be a useful tool in the hands of The Master is… not so much! Having been proved and tested, while facing more, I now know that NOTHING brings me more joy and sense of purpose than looking at the Savior and hearing Him say… ‘Well done, faithful one!” One day, He’ll say to me, “Here’s a throne… take a seat!”
Now how about YOU? Are YOU submitting and letting the Master lead you through difficult valley’s of life… and death? Are you passing His test?
