Posts
Wednesday, August 15
Have you ever experienced a devastating circumstance in your
life? At one time or another, we all go through trials that attempt to crush
us, squeeze us, bruise us, or set us on fire. Though these difficulties strike
us, many times their impact will bring beauty out of chaos, if we allow it.
Some things only achieve their greatest design through
crushing blows…
*The squeezing of grapes produces sweet wine.
*The pressing of olives extracts their delectable oil.
*Only when wheat is ground is it useful for making bread.
*The crushing of flower petals releases their oil for
fragrance.
*Incense is useless - its purpose not fulfilled, its odors
not set free - unless touched by fire.
*Only through great pressure, heat, and time does coal
produce the gemstone of a diamond.
Just as all of nature suffers contrary conditions in order
to be expanded, strengthened, or enhanced, so, too, do we. Crushing, squeezing,
and suffering remove the unnecessary things in our lives, allowing the fragrance
of holiness and sweet graces to be released.
But during these trying situations, how do we behave? Do we
whine, kick, scream, question God, or tell Him it isn’t fair? Or are we still
before the Lord, allowing His power to work in us, as we bow to His divine
purpose by submitting our will to His and as we offer Him praise from lips of
thanksgiving?
Which behavior do you believe is the sweet aroma to the Lord?
Did
you know God has sensitive sinuses? During those times of adversity, do we
present Him with a pleasant aroma in His
nostrils or a stench stuck in His throat? Are we like Estee Lauder’s Beautiful
perfumery or a men’s locker room? Like a flower shop or a machine shop? Like a
bakery or a fertilizer plant?
Some of God’s children in the Bible were stinkers and others
were sweet-smellers. How did they each react when they experienced crushing
blows or fiery circumstances? Many times, Israel was a stinky bunch of whiners.
Others who experienced great trials came out smelling like, well, like a rose.
One is Paul. Of the multitude of afflictions he experienced,
he said, “We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never
live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to
help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of
God, who alone could save us, for He can even raise the dead. And He did help
us and saved us from a terrible death; yes, and we expect Him to do it again
and again.” (2 Cor. 1:8-10 TLB)
One group is the Three Amigos. You know, Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-Nego. While they were in the fiery furnace, they believed their God
would deliver them, and, even if He didn’t deliver them, they believed He would
still save them from Nebuchadnezzar.
As those flames lapped up around them, God walked among them
and rescued them. The smell of smoke did not even cling to them when they came
out. Their sweet aroma of faith had not changed.
When trials linger incessantly, lapping their flames around
you, do you reek more of the smell of smoke or the sweet aroma of faith?
Is your trust and devotion as that sweet aroma of the
alabaster passion box, lovingly poured upon Jesus’ head, which seeped into His
beard and gently trickled down upon His shoulders, saturating His garment?
I pray that the things attempting to crush you will release that
dormant, precious fragrance lying deep within your heart.
Prayer: Lord, may each burden of my life work as a weight to
crush my disobedience, my instability to stand on Your Word, and my inability
to be used by You.
Crush me, for then am I made useful. Crush me as flower
petals are compressed for their fragrant perfume. Crush me as olives squeezed
for their valuable oil. Crush me and let my life overflow with that delectable
wine.
Crush me for my rightful purpose that I may be useful in
Your hands, that I may be that readily available vessel for Your use, that
passion box ready to be broken open and poured out with the sweet-scented oil
of Your Holy Spirit.
I pray that the things crushing each reader’s life right now
will only work to bring out the holy aroma of obedience and sweet-smelling
graces of Your will. Amen!
*A rerun remixed
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Lynn, I loved your post. I'm going to share the link on my FB page.
Hey, sweet Sharon! I'm so pleased you stopped. Thank you so much for leaving a comment and for sharing it. Bless you!
I've had a few crushing blows - but I know things could have been much worse. I don't know how anyone goes through anything without the Lord by there side and you learn so much and can help others from the experience... Bless You!
Kathleen, I so agree with you. I don't know how anyone makes it without the Lord! Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment. Bless you!
Did this ever make me tear up as I was reading! So needed this. Thank you for penning such a marvelous post.
Oh, my nose is, um, highly sensitive - the military could use my nose! Your post made me think of when my boys were itty bitty and they would hurt themselves and cry themselves into a sweat - and crawl into my arms for comfort. I would bury my nose in their sweatiness - as they surrendered to my mother's comfort.
I hope I have a sweet aroma - but I think God has held me, smelled the hot sweatiness as I spent myself in tears.
Oh, your post just goes straight to my heart!
I admit it -- I'm a whiner. But at least the whining is growing weaker and quieter over the years as I trust Jesus more. And sometimes it doesn't start at all. Oh, for the day when there's only rejoicing FIRST!
Loved the post, Lynn. Great examples in nature.
Your prayer took my breath away. I am going to go back to your page and copy it to add to my morning devotions. Thank you for sharing your heart.
God has sensitive sinuses? never thought of that before. What a neat image.
I always learn something stopping by your blog!
My name is Kris and I am a recovering whiner. I bow at the feet of Jesus and now pour at my praises and petitions and leave behind the worries and anxiety. ;)
I wrote a post several back about the aroma, the fragrance of us and of Christ. I pray my aroma is pleasing to Him.
Lovely post Lynn!
Oh Lynn, this is a wonderful post and a beautiful prayer. We don't like the crushing, but it is neccessary in order to refine us and conform us to His image.
Blessings,
Joan
Thank you, Deborah, for your very generous words. I deeply appreciate it. Bless you!
Awww, Maryleigh, such a sweet and touching memory. And yes, you smell! LOL I can smell you from here...a very sweet aroma! Bless you, my sweet friend!
Carol, it is hard to break out of that old pattern. Thank you so much for always being so generous to comment. Bless you!
Oh, Jean, you so warm my heart. What a great compliment! Such a blessing. Thank you, dear one. Bless you!
LOL Kristin, I think we're all recovering whiners. I must have missed your post. I'll have to look for it. Thank you so much for stopping by. Bless you!
Joan, it is so true; it's so necessary for us to be refined and conformed to Jesus' image. I'm so happy to have you visit. Bless you!
Beautiful!
Just Beautiful Lynn! Straight to all our hearts! Pam Mosher
your blog post are always so beautiful sweet Lynn, xo and thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite things hop :-)
Great post, Lynn! You always have such a unique and special insight on things. I'm very sensitive to smells, and this post really spoke to me. Hugs and blessings to you, my sweet friend!
SandiGrace, thank you so much for taking time to read and comment. I deeply appreciate it! Bless you!
Pam! So good to see you. I've missed you! Thanks so much, sweetie. Blessings to you!
Hey, Katie-kins! So happy to see you! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! Bless you, dear one!
Aww, thank you so much, dear Connie! Such a nice compliment. I've missed you. Hope all is well. Blessings to you!
Lynn,
This post spoke so powerfully to me when I read it this morning at Healthy Spiritually, that I'm quoting and writing about it in my blog, www.treatmetoafeast-beloved.blogspot.com.
Thank you for giving a name to one of the most trying experiences of my life. May God continue to use you and bear you up on every side.
Thank you.
Peace and good
Beloved, you have so blessed my heart. I'm humbled. I praise the Lord that this post spoke to you. Thank you so much for letting me know. Praying for you. May the Lord bless you with whatever you need.
Lynn- I was directed to this post from Treat me to a Feast, today- and talk about God's perfect timing! I am printing out your lovely prayer here, because I want the crushing I am experiencing to release the sweet aroma of Christ, and not the stench of self-pity !! God is so good- He directs our steps[ fingers!] to the posts we need when we need them- He uses this lovely online community to bring words of encouragement exactly when we need them most.
God bless you sweet sister!!
Oh, sweet Mary! Isn't the Lord amazing? I so praise Him that He has used this post to touch your precious heart. Thank you so much for letting me know. Praying for you, dear one. Blessings to you!
Oh, sweet Mary! Isn't the Lord amazing? I so praise Him that He has used this post to touch your precious heart. Thank you so much for letting me know. Praying for you, dear one. Blessings to you!
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