Bible Reading: Romans 9:1-26
When my daughter was younger, she had a rock tumbler. We would put rough, dull stones inside along with some grit. Then we'd turn on the tumbler and let it run. The stones would roll around inside the tumbler with the grit for several weeks. The stones didn't resist the rough treatment by the grit. They just went along for the ride.
After that time, we would remove the stones and rinse them off. The time the stones spent tumbling and rubbing against the grit has caused them to become polished and beautiful! My daughter could then use them to make beautiful jewelry.
We are often like rocks in a rock tumbler. We have rough edges – things like bad tempers, impatience, thoughtless speech, rudeness, and grumpiness – things that God wants removed from our lives.
So, God puts us into His "rock tumbler." He allows us to rub against other people who think differently than we do. He allows sickness and other struggles to push us around. He allows us to endure the abrasiveness of difficult bosses, annoying people, and other stressful situations. God allows all this "grit" to rub against us as we are tossed and rolled in His rock tumbler.
After a time, the pressure lessens, the rough ride stops, and – like those stones – we emerge polished and beautiful. Our lives have been made smooth, ready for God to use to do beautiful things!
Are you being tumbled in God's rock tumbler? Remember the words of Ro 9:21, "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" and don't resist. God has a special plan for you. He will only allow you to tumble as long as is truly necessary to smooth out your rough edges. Be patient. Trust Him. When those edges have been polished to a beautiful shine, God will bring you out of His rock tumbler and make something beautiful from your life!
"What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?" Romans 9:23, 24
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to patiently endure the "grit" in my life. Help me to trust You with the result. In Jesus' name. Amen."