“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26

My wife shuddered and said, “I know we don’t have kids in this house anymore, but having this thing on the table freaks me out!” The ‘thing’ she was referring to is an old guillotine style paper cutter. Working on a project, I had brought it out and set it there in the open. She shuddered… I didn’t! And here is why.

Katie works in a preschool. Everyday her room is filled with little children. And if you know ANYTHING about little children, you know that a guillotine style paper cutter would only be an incredible play thing in their eyes. A ‘shudder’ is a natural response AFTER a horrific event has taken place. It is her primary job to keep kids safe by looking out for danger they might not see. To do her job well (and she does) she has to see potentially dangerous things through THEIR eyes in order to both protect and instruct.

Knives, razor blades, guns, staplers and swimming pools are examples of THINGS. By themselves, they are tools for work or enjoyment and pose no threat to anyone. It is when the ignorant (little knowing) see them without a ‘shudder’ that they can become horrific tools of destruction. A parent, teacher, counselor or pastor’s job is to try to impart the ‘shudder’ before any destruction takes place. Sadly, NOTHING causes a shudder like experience.

As I look at my life I am a product of pain. So are you. Having experienced hardship and pain makes me an EXPERT in that area. And while it may SEEM strange, God uses hurt people as teachers of His Truth. Teachers get to participate in the joys of His heart when someone receives His instruction. But they also experience His pain when His Way is rejected and destruction occurs. It is a fact that joy and pain are partners in any kind of ministry.

Everyday my wife comes home from work and we have a pow-wow. Dealing with over 75 kids during the day is both joyous and traumatic. I sit and listen as she unwinds by talking. After she is done, I take my turn. Being in ministry is like being a parent or teacher as well, so there is a lot to talk about. But metaphorically, the paper cutter is ALWAYS in the room!

God is ALWAYS God. He is never OFF duty. He calls, warns, reaches, yells, disciplines and dies… every day. That is what Love does! But the ONE thing we can always count on from Him is that he NEVER QUITS! He is ALWAYS looking into the darkness with the full intention of sending His Light into it. I have to remind myself that no matter the pain or difficulty, ‘I’ am His light He sends. And so are you.

Every morning I set before Him and remind myself of His love and care for me AND for those around me. I make it my mission to set my heart and eyes on HIM so that HIS heart becomes MY heart. Sometimes the best way to do that is to see the paper cutter in the room. Looking into the darkness in order to bring light is a serious business.

What do YOU see?