The Marine Corps has a
philosophy for recruits which goes something like this: “Tear them down to
build them up.” What they are saying is in order to make a good Marine you must
do away with preconceived notions and individualistic thinking in order to have
recruits become ingrained with the fact that they are part of something bigger
than themselves, namely, “The Corps”.
In an agricultural sense, the
Corps is pruning the unproductive parts of the recruit. This can be a very
painful process to say the least! Recruits go through a program known as “The
Crucible” which is a period time in which they have very little sleep, “intense
supervision” with a drill instructor whose sole desire is to maximize stress,
and extreme physical conditions which take them to the limits of their
endurance. For those recruits who complete “The Crucible”, they are rewarded with
the coveted “Eagle, Globe and Anchor” medal which announces the recruit is now a member of “The Corps.”
John 15:1“I am the true
vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2: He cuts off every branch in me that
bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it
will be even more fruitful. How does this apply to you and me?
I have been reading a daily
devotional, “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman. It is a difficult read. The
theme of this book seems to indicate that suffering can produce true growth if
we will allow it to do so. The book is filled with illustrations from both
characters in Scripture and everyday people who have experienced difficult
situations and have endured them by faith in God’s ultimate plan for their
lives.
There are many instances in
the Bible where those who suffered much but maintained their faith in God and were
rewarded. Take, for instance, Abraham
who endured the pain of God asking him to sacrifice his son, but he trusted Him
anyway. His faith was rewarded when
his son was restored to him. Here was Joseph, who was abandoned by his
brothers, sold into slavery, unjustly imprisoned because of false testimony of
a treacherous woman, yet maintained his faith in God and became a ruler in
Egypt who saved his family. Moses
endured forty years in the wilderness to become the one to lead his people out
of bondage. The ultimate in the suffering of Jesus produced the world’s
greatest blessing, our redemption.
In my own life there were issues in my life that needed pruning. So, years ago, I had the experience
of going through a three-week program of intensive counseling. I experienced great emotional suffering in
the process, but the result left me stronger and more productive.
Here’s the bottom line. “You
do not have to understand all God’s ways of dealing with you. He does not expect
you to understand them. You do not expect your children to understand
everything you do – you simply want them to trust you. And someday you too will
see the glory of God in the things you do not understand.” (Author unknown)
Ministry:
- I continue to
meet with men individually for breakfast or lunch meetings.
- I meet regularly
with four men for counsel and encouragement.
- I also emcee a
monthly meeting at a senior living facility in Duluth where we bring in a
speaker.
I am so very grateful for your encouragement, prayers
and financial support.
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