RING OF LIFE - by Lisa Are Wulf
Spiritual Growth
I heard this question recently. What if our lives are like tree rings? You know - the rings you find inside a tree after you chop it up that show the various years of its life. Suppose God opened us up and laid us out flat. What would he see?
Perhaps he would find a smooth surface – not many rings and very little growth. Or maybe he would discover a symmetrical stream of beautiful new rings, each building on the other. That's an improvement. But something is still lacking.
What if he opens our lives and finds something different – a series of uneven rings, in unmatched colors, split by cracks and fractures? This is real growth. Each time we are broken, even if the crack never completely heals, our souls are strengthened and our faith grows deeper. An imperfect life is often a life that walks closest with God.
What's your experience?
Tags: Spiritual Growth, Christian Discipleship, Spiritual Journey
Posted by Spiritual Formation House at 10/8/2009 6:00 AM 
Categories: Spiritual Growth, ALL LISA'S ENTRIES
Tags: Christian Discipleship Spiritual Journey Spiritual Growth
Categories: Spiritual Growth, ALL LISA'S ENTRIES
Tags: Christian Discipleship Spiritual Journey Spiritual Growth
My current experience of refinement is pictured in Jeremiah 18. Jeremiah was told to go to the Potters house and watch. God spoke to me and said the 'fire' i am in right now is about being put in the kiln as in fine china is put into high heat for the purpose that it may hold and retain water. I researched this process and understood the application now as God is making me into a vessel of honor for His Glory.
Is this time painful? Yes! Do i understand it all? No! God is my restorer and deliverer.I am going through the Valley of Weeping(Psalm 84:5-7) and the Valley of Achor (Hosea 2:15)So God has a unique plan for each of us that is bring us into the place of Christlikeness. That we may be salt and light to a lost a dying generation.
paula
at the same time.
Reply to this