Change

I am sitting here contemplating change. I've heard that many of the situations that we are plunged into are not so that we can have an effect upon them but the opposite, so that we can be effected by them; for the better. Often the beginning of a thing seems to be terrible yet in the end as we look back at it we may even be apt to call it a blessing. I heard Michael J. Fox call his disease a blessing the other day. He said it was not always so but after so many years it has become one to him. His disease has not changed it was always the same. What changed? Obviously the man's perspective for over the years the degree of difficulty had reached it's zenith. Like a butterfly coming out of it's cocoon must struggle mightily to push through the tiny opening so that all of the fluids can be pushed to the necessary regions like the wings and thorax thus shaping the insect and enabling it to fly. It comes through completely metamorphosized changed forever by this epoch transition. Like Joseph with his coat of many colors who went through so very much mental and physical trauma saw that what seemed for him to be bad was, with a different perspective, one borne of the struggle showed him that it was for a much greater good; the survival of an entire race of people. I write all of this to selfishly encourage myself not to give up but to have faith that the struggle I am going through is not in vain but to change me so that I may be a vessel worthy of honoring God it some way yet not revealed to me if ever. Like Nelson Mandela, not that I am comparing myself to him, it can be how you struggle that is the goal. Maintaining one's dignity through the trials, having faith in the face of adversity may in itself be if nothing else an inspiration to other telling them to "hang on." The bible says that we must like silver be tested. Silver is heated up until all of the impurities in it float to the top so that the silversmith can scrape them off leaving only a shining purity so pure that the silversmith can see his own reflection the silver. We too should persevere while the in the heating process allowing our own impurities rise to the top so that the Master can scrape them away leaving behind only a spirit that will reflect the face of God to all whom we might meet.
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

So I say to you all. know that the God of Abraham and Issac, the apostles and those who now believe Loves you and is with you. Have faith, persevere stand firm and overcome.