SUNDAY - 15TH JANUARY, 2023
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola & Oreoluwa ADEJUMO
THE SUFFERING OF ROUNDED STONES
Read Galatians 5:19-23
I Samuel 17:40, KJV
"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."
These rounded stones were not at first rounded. They didn't have a beginning of smoothness. They were all jagged and rough edged. Their reputation and antecedent contradicts whatsover you see and now know of them. But, how did they become smooth? How did they turn into such Christians that any hand and sight could choose to send on an errand of appointment anytime without fear of disappoinment or disgrace?
These stones when they were cut into the brook began as rough edged unruly stones. They're not stones you'll covet to handpick but as they were transported and carried here and there on a long journey of swimming in the brook, they began to be smoothened. As they hit, rub and grind other stones, all their rough edges began to disappear because they're beginning to be beaten into fine stones. It's then any who sees them found them attractive to pick. But their smoothening process wasn't easy. You'll agree it takes patience and obedience in developing character in anyone. You might even think these stones have never had an antecedent of roughness before due to how they appear now in beauty. Until you hear their testimonies, you don't fear or empathize with how much they've been through before becoming rounded stones that attract men.
You see, on our Christian journey, we're promised and could have the destination of the rounded stones but we all began being rough edged, rebellious sinners. Then, we were converted. It was at that point our journey of smoothness began. As we were discipled, as we renewed out minds daily; we began to shed the much weight of sin and unrighteousness we have accumulated and trained ourselves in. Discipleship purged us. Though we didn't find it funny yet as we related with God and the saints, we learnt what's the acceptable will of God to practice and now, here we are. We've made an arrival. There's no Christian who will behold or relate with us who won't desire to be in our company. They call us sweet and gracious Christians. We're useful for the kingdom and valuable to the society. Like Dorcas, we've been succourers of many as our secret works testify (Acts 9:36,39). But they might not know that we were once rough stones - full of selfishness, lust, rivalry, envy and all works of the flesh. Now, we only sparkle the fruits of the spirit.
Mature Christians are interesting to have or relate with but they never began as graceful Christians. They began as stones anyone would bypass and wouldn't want to have to do. But now, they have a new testimony. If you ever have around you as a leader people who are not yet filled with Christian virtues, don't be tired working on them. They shall arrive at a place where they'll become your joy and God's. They shall arrive where you won't have any fear or shame presenting them. They'll be the choice amidst many others for assignments and missions. But before they'll find usefulness in the hands of David and appearance outside their quarry, they must have been tiredlessly worked on to earn a new name.
PRAYER: Lord, fine tune me. Give me the forbearance to let patience have its full effect on me as You work on me.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:24-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18
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