Shaken for Purpose
Do you believe that you can be shaken for Purpose? And that God can use all things for good?
We had a huge pear tree in our yard growing up. Right across from the side porch. It produced the juiciest of pears for as long as I can remember. You could literally just pull one off and start eating it. And I don’t believe that I’ve had any that were as good since then.
But I remember my Mom used the pears for canning. She would make the best pear preserves that you could ever eat.
And just in case you are not familiar with pear preserves. Just imagine your favorite fruit combined with sugar, cooked into a somewhat creamy pulp. Made into a yummy chunky fruit spread.
It’s so so good.
Especially on Mom’s hot homemade biscuits.
Picking Time
I remember when it was pear season and it was time to pick the pears from the tree.
Some of the branches were just too high to reach.
So we would take a long handle and reach for the branches to give them a little shake, in order to shake the pears loose.
In shaking the branches, the pears would fall to the ground.
I often thought this was counterproductive. I thought that the impact of the pears to the ground would bruise them. And subsequently, mom wouldn’t be able to use them.
But Mom would always assure us, that just because the pear was bruised didn’t mean that it couldn’t be used.
Can you imagine Father God saying this about you?
You may be bruised but I can use you. Shattered and broken but I can use you. You may be the least in everyone else’s eyes but I can use you. May have messed up in the past but I can use you.
God can use all things.
Sometimes, it takes being shaken down and bruised in order to get the fruit to its place of use. It’s intended purpose.
And it’s the same for us friends.
Sometimes, it takes a shaking and a bruising in order to get us to the place that was intended for us, to be used by God.
He may not have caused the shaking nor the bruising. But HE will use it for purpose.
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. Romans 8:28 (AMP)
So just as Mom explained to use that the pears where still of use even if they were bruised, be encouraged that God can use all things for good. Including you.
Now can you think of a challenging time that God has turned around for His purpose? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
