The Sifting Process SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 20:25–28 KEY VERSE: Matthew 20:16 The last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. God has a plan for your life. However, it doesn’t snap into place overnight. It takes a lifetime to achieve all He has planned for you. He prepares you for service by giving you spiritual gifts and natural talents, and by allowing you to face many difficulties. He uses the difficulties to sift away the impurities in your life. The difficulties also sand and polish the rough edges of your life until they are removed. In the end, you become a reflection of His glory. When God begins His process of sifting in your life, you may feel as though your entire life is being shaken. Don’t worry. He is positioning you for a great blessing. Another indication of the sifting process of God comes when you sense His silence. He is testing to see whether you will trust Him even though He is not making Himself known to you through material blessings. One of the hardest forms of sifting comes through suffering, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Amy Carmichael, a devoted servant of God, spent the last years of her life confined to her bed. God allowed her to be tested beyond what seemed bearable, especially for one who loved being in contact with others. Most of us will never face that kind of trial. However, the life of Christ burned brilliantly within her. Today her books, written during her time of suffering, are testimonies to God’s faithfulness and glory. Master, help me realize that You work in silence, suffering, and times of shaking to accomplish Your purposes in my life. Use these difficult circumstances to prepare me for the future You have planned. Stanley, C. F. (1999). On holy ground (p. 261). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:18:10 +0000
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