THE PROCESS AND THE PRODUCT

The village blacksmith was known for his strength and skills. He was also known for his extreme suffering and unending patience. Everyone also admired his deep and abiding faith in God and his love for his Lord.

One day a new resident of the village stopped by to meet and talk with him. Shortly after they began their conversation, the visitor to his shop said, “I understand that you have a great faith in God. But with all of the pain and suffering you have endured throughout the years, do you really believe that He loves you?”

“Oh yes,” said the blacksmith, “yes, I do.”

“Prove it then, if you will,” said the man.

Picking up a piece of metal the blacksmith said, “For me to make something useful of this metal, I must put it into the fire and allow the heat to make it soft. Then I must put it on the anvil and hammer it with blow after blow if it is to become a useful item. Unless I heat it until it is soft and then hammer it until it takes shape and becomes something useful, it is worthless.”

When days are difficult and nights have no guiding lights, it is not because God wants to harm us. It is because He loves us and has a unique plan for each of us. In times of doubt, visit the Garden of Gethsemane.

Prayer:  Lord, even Your Son experienced a time in His life when He openly asked “if there was another way.” And when there was none He accepted the “heat.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15