Crushed
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV).
At an intersection close to my job, someone lost and entire ream of paper. Five hundred sheets strewn all over the road, crushed into the wet road, pressed into the snow and driven over repeatedly. Each blank sheet filled with opportunities for a story that will now go unfulfilled.
As followers of Jesus sometimes we can feel like that ream of paper. Strewn about willy-nilly, blank, crushed and pressed into wet, unforgiving and unrelenting places. However, in Christ, we have hope!
No matter what we go through, He is there with us. His life in us sustains us through adversity, empowering us to push back what Satan pushes on us. He whispers that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. He directs our paths with the Light and Lamp of His word.
Unlike the ream of blank paper decorating the intersection this morning, Jesus picks us up from where we’ve been pressed and writes a fresh page in our story book each day. He is the author and finisher af our faith and our lives. We are His poetic masterpiece.
Let’s Pray: Thank You Jesus for not forsaking us when we feel squished and crushed. May we look to You when adversity rears its head and remember the well of Your strength. Your faithfulness and mercy endure forever and You are worthy of our worship!
Today’s Attitude of Worship: Give thanks for all He has seen you through and trust Him for so much more!