But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.
We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying. So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. ~2 Cor. 4:7-12 (CEB)
“Legend tells of a little girl who had an ugly hump on her back. The girl was so deformed that she was either ridiculed or pitied by everyone. When she died, it turned out that the ugly hump concealed angel’s wings. Can it be that all the ugly things in our lives have in them angel’s wings? Can it be that even our sin, our ugly sin, can be turned to good; could it conceal angel’s wings?
This is the glorious promise of conversion: God is able to make all things work together for good. Even the sinful years, the ugly years, need not be wasted but can result in good. Is this not a most comforting assurance? For many of us our ugly years were numerous, and they cause deep remorse. The may have struck at the prime of our lives and ministries. For so long we have grieved them, feeling that many years of ministry were wasted. But the love of God dawns upon us, and with it comes a most amazing promise and a new hope: We cannot redeem, God can; and what we cannot erase, God will.” ~Norman Shawchuck
Just about the time I start mourning the “lost years” that I could have been in service to God, I remember that God knew that I would take this road. It falls into His plan and He planned to use it ALL for His glory. The knowledge that I have gained by taking God’s paths or my own God will help me to reach out to others. Nothing is lost. All is gain in God’s sight.
Heavenly Father, when Satan tries to hold my past against me, remind me that You see me as a might warrior. When Satan tries to tell me I am worthless, remind me that I have always been Your beloved child. For all the loss that Satan waves at me, remind me that You will use it for Your gain. You, O Lord, are a restorer of dreams and I am thankful. Amen
