"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have
had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith-
more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result
in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
(1 Peter 1:6-7)
My family and I live in an apartment, so our "flower garden" consists
of what we can grown in indoor pots. For a long time our plants would
not flower despite watering and fertilizing. Then we discovered that
the soil had to be raked and turned over if the plants were to bloom.
Now our potted plants are a pure joy to look at with their
healthy leaves and blooming flowers.
Sometimes we need a little raking and turning in our own lives to make us bloom.
Writing to the harassed believers in his day, Peter said,
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials which are to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you: But rejoice, seeing you are
partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed,
you may be glad also with exceeding joy."
(1 Peter 4:12-13)
Like the soil in our potted plants, these Christians were having their lives, "turned over."
God's purpose in doing that was to allow their faith to result in praise and glory
to Him at the revelation of Jesus Christ. God wants to loosen the things that can
choke our lives and that prevent us from radiating joy. To do this, He sometimes
has to allow pain and trouble-trials that help stir up the soil in our lives.
If this is what you are experiencing today, rejoice. Surrender to His touch
and acquire a joy and fruitfulness you never imagined possible.
"How To Bloom"
(March, 2011)
A devotional by
C.P. Hia
Our Daily Bread
RBC Ministries
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