If Need Be...

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:3-8


I spent last week in a factory that makes dried fruit for those less fortunate. When we arrived one of the staff members told us that the peaches were known to talk so we should be listening. What he meant was that it was common for God to speak to people's hearts as they processed the peaches, he was right. That first day in the factory the Lord began to reveal to me a beautiful picture through those bruised and scarred peaches.

The local farmers donate all the peaches to the factory that they can't sell to the markets, fruit is good but has some sort of bruise or scar making it unappealing to the eye.
The Lord showed me that these peaches were believers that had endured trials and suffering and were wounded and scarred.

The first stop is the inspection belt, here fruit that cannot be used at all is thrown out. The only reason a peach can't be used is if it's flesh is exposed, how true is this for the Christian, the carnal Christian who is walking by the flesh cannot endure the sufferings and trials of life and will be taken out. However the Christian who is walking by the Spirit is able to endure despite their wounds.

The next stop is the cutters, before the cutters all the peaches have to be turned with their stems facing upward so that the core can be cut out completely. In other words, the believer must be completey turned towards and submitted to Jesus in order to endure.

Next the core, the hard middle part is cut out completly. Here our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh. Those areas that are hard and need to be cut out are removed, leaving the soft fruit, which is ready to be turned into something beautiful.

Next the fruit is laid out on trays and sent to soak up the sun or the Son and made into dried fruit.

Here's where it gets exciting, the recipients of this dried fruit consider it one of the most precious gifts they will ever receive!!! Some may have never tasted fruit before! Some may not have any other food or nourishment! They are filled with joy and excitement as they receive this dried up fruit. But what if the peach hadn't been bruised or wounded? It would've wound up in the supermarket like any other peach. But now, because it was "walking in the Spirit", "submitted to and pointed toward Jesus", and "willing to endure", it is a precious gift to all that receive it!!!

Dear friend, if need be, you will endure various trials, for the praise, glory and honor of Jesus.
Thank Him today for the trial He has chosen for you and the precious gift He is making you into!
He is pleased with you and many others will be blessed as you chosse to obey and endure and always look to Jesus.