As I have vicariously been living each day of the summer out, I have been over come with a sad case of writers block. Whether it be a result of too much sun - bathing or the overdose of yellow lemonade that I have consumed, I am simply having a terribly difficult time writing. I have therefore decided to strain to overcome this awful disease.
In my devotional time I have quite recently begun to read 1 Peter. As I reached verse six in the first chapter I became wonder-struck by the words Peter had written so long ago.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7
As I read these words they seemed as if they were leaping off the page and I became convicted. How many times have I so selfishly taken my faith for granite? Or tell God that I deserve better, or I am entitled to eternity? This passage so humbly reminded me that I am a sinner. I have done nothing to earn God's amazing forgiveness and His indelible grace. He so kindly chose to bestow it upon me as a completely free gift, that I am so utterly undeserving of. So according to Peter my faith that I have been so graciously given is worth more than gold.
Another thing that struck a chord on my heart was that the testing of my faith should draw me to sing praise to my precious Savior, Jesus Christ. When life finds us in a deep dark abyss of trials and temptations, as humans we tend to give up hope or complain. This is not what Peter writes though; he encourages us to give praise to Jesus when we face the pits of despair life lets us fall into to. When we give God this praise that is so rightfully deserved, our faith is proved to be real and it grows.
