Monday, December 19, 2011

What The Beach Teaches

Took a cruise, went to the beach in Mexico, took some macro pictures along the shoreline in Progreso. Look closely...that's not sand. What you see there are tiny bits of worn down shells.



The whole beach was like that. No sand, just tons and TONS of tiny shell bits.
It's becoming a popular theme for me, but I just can't get over the refining influence that trials and time have on us. This is great news for the believer, because, I believe, these are all part of the pruning we must go through...the removing of the dross...the purifying by fire.

You can't sharpen a knife without some serious friction, and you
can't become Christlike without suffering. So,

Here's to trials!
Here's to refining fires!
Here's to faith worth more than gold!


Cheers to the furrows on our brow
To each hard-won victory
Cheers to the losses that grew us up
Killed our pride, and filled our cup

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..." Philippians 1:6

2 comments:

THEOparadox said...

That's a good, encouraging word. Why, we might wonder, does so much of the New Testament directly address issues of suffering? Well, it's par for the course. Suffering Christians are the most passionate intercessors, the most comforting empathizers, and the most grateful worshipers. We don't love suffering for its own sake - but we love what Jesus produces from our sufferings!

The Blainemonster said...

"God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart" says Spurgeon :)