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Glory over Glamour

This walk of faith is full of many realignments, corrections, disciplines, and times of repentance. In an effort to purify our belief system sometimes God takes matters a step further with a total master rest.


According to google a master reset "restores an electronic device to its original state by erasing all data, settings, and applications." This explanation carries a harder punch than the already humbling journey of transformation and indicates that the master has taken charge. No longer is the believer exercizing their will to die to the flesh but rather the Master is killing it.


The great fish that offered Johah a three days and three nights stay in his belly, is probably one of the best biblical examples of such a rewiring. Considering the persecution of the martyrs of our faith, the free cruise Johah received isn't half bad,  but I would still opt for an alternative (it's OK to laugh).


This past Sunday I woke up to the phrase, "Pearls stored in dark places." I told the Lord, "I already know that pearls are formed in the dark recesses of the oyster's pain and that pearls stay hidden in dark waters until harvested." Quite frankly, I wasn't impressed because the Lord has been preaching this message to me my entire adult life.


He kindly replied with, "You don't know everything."


Completely unenthusiastically, I dug a little deeper. Sure enough there was more for me to learn. 


Turns out pearls are to be stored in dark jewelry boxes, seperate from other gems, and pearl necklaces should not hange while in safe keeping. All of this is just the beginning. Pearls can crack if kept in places that are too dry or too warm, and they can lose their luster if brought into contact with too much light or water. Seems a bit delicate for something that is literally a result of pain.


The pearl is a product of pain, time, and hiddeness. Once the pearl is finally adorned in jewelry, shouldn't the hard part be over? Wasn't the creation process hard enough? 


Nope!


Not for the pearl, Jesus,  or us.


I was once again brought to 2 Corinthians 12, " a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NKJV)


A thorn in the flesh parallels the pain of the oysters perfectly. Here we are taught that when we are weak, He is strong.


How is God strong in us? Today the message is, "He is strong in me when the glamorous is destroyed to give way for His glory."


When we are reduced to nothing, we see the blessing of little. The glamorous is no longer an idol and survival is appreciated.  Understanding that we don't deserve anything, we cling to His Glory.


Relying solely on the provision of God allows you to work from a place of blessing, instead of working for the blessing.


How does God want to show Himself strong in you? Is it what you expected? Are you uncomfortable with His plan?







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