Desert Journey – Day 10
Love is so difficult when the people you are asked to love are challenging. Quite frankly, I rather complain and grumble about them, than choose to love; a little self-pity instead of forging ahead in love, seems common practice. Forging in love would mean putting me aside.
I would like to get up from the sand, however Jesus seems comfortable and I don’t think we are moving yet. Feeling a little squirmy, really. Yesterday, my good friend reminded me of the qualities of sand- it helps refine by scrubbing, exfoliating and smoothing. Jesus calls to mind a phrase I heard years ago, sandpaper people – people that help sand away our hardness and rough edges.
An uncomfortable smile crosses my face as I look at Jesus. Some more sanding required, huh? He smiles, as he does so often. What I have noticed about my time with Jesus is that he doesn’t lecture and condemn me; he guides and convicts. Such a monumental difference! One brings shame the other acknowledgment of sin.
Jesus calls to mind 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
It does not insist on its on way; it is not irritable or resentful…I am stumbling here.
As I sit in the sand an allow for some “scrubbing and exfoliating,” it actually feels good. I know Jesus wants me a little smoother.
Beautiful message! Thank you for keeping us inspired in today’s world
I have noticed in life that hard to love people have been used by Jesus to ‘sand’ something away from me that shouldn’t be there lol! Blessings to you … ❤
I love this! I can think of a few sandpaper people in my life. How are they intended to refine me? Am I learning patience, self control? Are they meant to help me see the unpleasant truths that I do not get from the friends who support and validate me?
I had a God-filled interaction a few months ago with an old classmate who said: “If God isn’t perfecting me for something, He’s protecting me from something.” One of those simple statements in a larger conversation that resonates and replays and repeats for months afterwards. I protect my heart from some of my sandpaper friends. Sandpaper can scar – it can gouge too deep – it can hurt, even make you bleed. So interesting to ponder this one…