“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
– 1 Peter 5:10
G.K. Chesterton is an English author who lived and wrote over 100 years ago. He published 80 books, 200 short stories, 4,000 essays and he was a literary and social critic, historian, theologian, and debater. He once commented on the fact that he loved fairy stories and that he learned some of the greatest lessons in life from them. One particular observation he made on the subject got my attention: he noted that there is a lot of glass in fairy tales, whether glass slippers, glass castles, glass halls, or mirrors. These objects — though bright, beautiful, transparent and non-perishable — are also fragile and breakable. He says in his book, “Strike glass and it will not endure an instant. Simply do not strike it and it will endure a thousand years. Such, it seemed, was the joy of man either in elfland or on earth that happiness depended on not doing something which you could at any moment do, and which very often it was not obvious why you should not do it.” I think this is a really good quote! Friend, like a piece of fine glass, your life is fragile and so is your reputation. It’s wise to guard it prudently and vigilantly and to do everything you can to live blamelessly before God and man. However, it’s also important to remember that you serve a Savior who specializes in taking shattered pieces and putting them back together to create something even more beautiful than before it was broken. Though there will always be consequences for wrong decisions, when you are the Lord’s child, He uses the good, the bad, and the ugly to write a story that honors His Name. Jesus Christ is a redeemer and restorer and He delights in bringing things back to life better than before! |
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for putting the broken pieces of my life back together. I’m thankful that there is nothing you cannot restore and redeem.
Reflection
Has something in your life been shattered? How is God healing you?
One Response
Bobby, I am in this situation right now and feel. It wise to guard my reputation prudently and viligantly and do everything blamelessly before GOD and man.
Please pray for me.
Love & Gratitude
Shahram