Something Rare

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An evangelist told the story of his friend who, during the depression, lost a job, a fortune, a wife and a home, yet he continued to hold onto his faith because it was all he had left. One day, the man was walking aimlessly steeped in his sorrows when he came across some men building a stone church. One of the workers was chiseling a triangular piece of rock. "What are you going to do with that?" asked the troubled man. The workman said, "Do you see that little opening way up there near the spire? Well, I'm shaping this down here so that it will fit up there." Tears filled the eyes of the broken man as he walked away. It seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain the trials of his life." God is using the trials here on earth to refine and purify us so that we can fit “up there”. In Colossians 1:11, the apostle Paul writes, "God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient!"

"Something Rare"

An artist has brushes and paints

The carpenter a hammer and nails.

God too has His tools for the Saints

Sandpaper, chisels and stormy gales.

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He shapes us with a skillful arm

And uses all His tools with great care.

His grand purpose is not to harm

But to shape us into something rare.

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It is only then that we can see

God's grand vision & work of art

Jesus' love, living inside you & me

Sharing with others, God's great Heart.

No matter where you are today, where you have been or what you are facing tomorrow, be patient, knowing your God will strengthen you to stand firm.

As a side note to the story, a spire is a tapering structure on the very top of a building, particularly a church. The word spire is related to the word "spear," or "spirit."

Symbolically, spires have two functions. The first is to proclaim power. A spire, with its spear point, symbolizes strength. The second is to reach up toward the heavens. It signifies a hopeful gesture to God that by reaching up to Heaven one can find God's forgiveness, His goodness, strength and favor.

Let's Pray

Father, please forgive me when I am impatient. Help me to see You at work in the trial and choose to depend on Your strength instead of my own. Help me to see Your purpose and plan, even if I can't understand it all. Help me to stand firm in my faith knowing you are always faithful. Lord, make me more patient so that others will see You in me.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.