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Not Crushing but Stretching!
Proverbs 3:12 '… the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.' (NIV)
 The train to influence often runs backwards. Sometimes, God takes away what influence we think we have in the present, so that he can give us much greater influence in the future. Daniel lost his princely status in Israel to become a slave in Babylon. Joseph lost his favoured place in his father's house to spend years as a slave in Egypt. Moses lost his privileged royal life in Egypt to look after sheep in the deserts of Midian. Jacob worked for a cheating father-in-law while on the run from Esau. David feigned madness in the land of the Philistines, running from Saul. Jeremiah sweated it out in a muddy pit after proclaiming the word of the Lord. And Elijah called fire from heaven and turned a nation to God -- then had to run for his life and wanted to die! These leaders all spent time in obscurity, forgotten by the world and, perhaps at the time, feeling forgotten by God. Yet every one of them emerged from their temporary obscurity to even greater levels of influence and honour than they had ever known before. Don't run from God's discipline – he's not crushing you, he's stretching you so that you can contain more of him. He's toughening you up, building resilience and determination, so that you run the race and finish brilliantly!
Prayer: 'Father, I know that there are times when it seems like you're stripping me back. Your word says that you discipline those you love – for their good. Help me to stay soft and yielded in your hands, so that you can finish this good work and lead me to greater influence for you.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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