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A month or so ago we'd returned a postcard which had arrived along with our phone bill. An accompanying note enticed us by offering "good money" for distributing phone directories in our local area. Money was tight and the idea of making a little extra to "tide us over" sounded great! Both of our children needed shoes and there just never seemed to be enough money to go around. We knew the area quite well and decided to go for it.

Now, several weeks later, we found ourselves going door to door leaving the directories and the message "The REAL Yellow Pages delivers". We'd worked several hours two days ago, but yesterday had been unable to get out due to high winds and a severe electrical storm. Today we were working in a very nice neighborhood that we used to drive through just to look at the beautiful homes and manicured lawns. Yesterday's storm had moved on and today dawned sunny and clear. The air was clean, the humidity low and the temperature moderate. A gentle breeze was blowing off the ocean. It was the kind of day which entices people move to Florida.

Making our rounds, we were constantly stepping over palm fronds, moss and dead branches left in the wake of the storm. Several trees, uprooted by the heavy winds, still lay where they had fallen, and down the street, repairs were being made on a roof which had been badly damaged when a limb from an old oak tree had given way. While a few yards had already been cleaned up and the trash deposited at the curb, the majority of the lawns were still cluttered with debris and in various states of disarray.

I'd been praying as I walked from house to house and now a Scripture verse came to mind. It spoke about a time when everything that can be shaken WILL be shaken and only the things which refuse to be shaken would remain. Immediately, the Lord began opening my eyes to a spiritual truth. Just as the winds and heavy rain had caused these loose and dead branches to fall, the storms of life are also a very necessary part of God's plan for us. While I don't feel that God necessarily sends all storms our way, I DO believe He uses them to accomplish a work in us. The testings and trials we face have a way of exposing sin and misplaced priorities, unhealthy attitudes, values and motives. Our Heavenly Father, in loving concern, uses these storms for many things, including discipline and pruning, knowing that if left unchecked, the dead and/or diseased areas would hinder future growth and fruitfulness. There is no question about it--pruning is painful no matter what form it takes. But how vitally important it is for our spiritual well-being.

Doesn't Scripture challenge us to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us? Wouldn't it be easier to run this race if we weren't hauling around so much dead weight and excess baggage?

And doesn't the Word also teach us that the Lord chastens those He loves? The discipline, pruning and purging He does in our lives aren't the result of anger, but of genuine loving concern for our spiritual health. One of my favorite verses says that we can be confident that God is committed to completing the work He's begun in us. It also refers to that work as being "good" work--that of conforming us to the image of His precious son, Jesus.

Thank you, Father, for opening my eyes today. Please forgive me for resisting You and complaining about Your methods. How I've hated the testings, trials and storms of life! How I've detested having my sin, pride and weaknesses revealed. How I've despised having to face the music and deal with problem areas in my life. Father, I am so ashamed! Thank You for loving me enough to correct and discipline me (even when I'm kicking and screaming) instead of allowing me to continue along the path of self-destruction. Above all, Lord, I want to live a life that pleases You. Help me, Father, to respond in a positive way to You, remembering no matter how painful it is at times, it really IS a "good" work You're doing in me. Thank you for helping me realize once again the necessity of keeping my life free and clear of excess baggage and dead weight. Forgive me for holding on to things that hinder or slow my progress with You. By Your grace, help me to live a life that's free of unfruitful diseased actions and attitudes and to face even the mightiest of shakings knowing that You are causing all things to work together for my good. Have Your way with me, Lord. And help me to trust You enough to say with calm assurance "let the winds blow."

In Jesus' Name.

Used with permission Sondra S. Jenkins. Jan 2000