The Hard Lessons

God is always teaching us and molding us. Sometimes He shapes us gently as a potter who works with water, His hands gliding skillfully and smoothy over us molding the rough contours and shaping us in unique and beautiful ways. At other times He takes a sledge hammer and starts knocking off big ole' chunks! A friend of mine described this second method in just this way recently and I had to smile. So true! We've all been there. It's the great big hard lessons that feel more like the sledge hammer approach. I confess I prefer the Potter to the Renovator....

So what are these hard lessons? Maybe to some extent they are different for everyone, but there are a few that seem to be universal. There are a couple that I think we all really struggle with. My short list: "Be slow to anger...". "Love your enemy. Do good to those who curse you". "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!". "As the world has hated me, so it will hate you..". " All who wish to follow Me must first pick up their cross..". "The road to heaven is narrow and difficult but the road to hell is broad..". Just a few of my personal favorites and particular "thorns in the side".

So what's a girl to do? Beats me! No, seriously - I have no idea. I have no idea whatsoever how to be successful at any of these things. I know we are called to do them. I know we are expected to do them. I know God is disappointed with us when we don't do them. Knowing all this makes no difference whatsoever. The spirit is willing but my will is weak! It is hard for me not to be angry when I am hurt or see others I love hurting. My "enemies" drive me nuts. I don't want anyone to hate me. Keeping my mouth shut is a huge challenge, and my feet just sort of naturally stray to the broad easy path. In short- I'm a mess!

Fortunately, the God we serve is not! Though we are frail, He is mighty. Though we fail, He does not. Though we can't love perfectly, His presence in us can. Though we fear carrying our cross, He comes alongside and helps us shoulder it. Though left to our own devices we will continue down that broad path to destruction, He stands before us like a celestial school crossing guard pointing the way to a safer pathway. Through Him, with Him, in Him, all things are possible. That is why scripture tells us "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Yes -life is full of hard lessons. There are lots of days I would rather not learn them. There are plenty of times I would rather revert back to my former nature. These are the times when I need my godly friends. When I need my accountability partner. When I need His Word. None of us is an island. None of us can successfully complete this journey on our own. We need a Savior. And we need each other. This is the only way we can live, learn, thrive, and grow. Whether we are being molded by the Potter, or demolished for renovation- we yield to His will and rely on His grace. And on each other.......Shalom!