Do you withdraw easily when a trial or difficulty comes? Have you discerned if this little hurting would make your character stronger? - Daily Bible Reflections November 30,2014

First Sunday of Advent

 

 

SHAPE OF OUR LIVES

 

We are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand. – Isaiah 64:7

 

National Geographic featured how a martial arts expert broke layers of bricks in a single power punch. It all started when the martial arts expert was just an apprentice punching a single, thin brick just enough to break it. He then repeated the process while gradually increasing the number of bricks.

       For every punch he made, his knuckles sustained bearable pain from microscopic injuries in his tissues and bones. These little injuries inflamed the knuckle as a natural protective response of the tissues to pain. Over time, healing took place, generating new cells. Amazingly, these cells adjusted to pain, making them stronger and tougher than the previous cells. The cycle continued until the body developed strength, muscle memory, and hardened knuckles capable of breaking multiple bricks in a single blow.

       This is similar to making a pot, which takes its shape from mashing, pressing and forming malleable clay on a spinning wheel. Over time, the clay forms a hardened pot when baked in a furnace. Similarly, our lives are shaped by the trials we endure. But in God’s time, healing will generate a stronger character, spiritual muscles, and hardened faith. Leo Villarico (leovrico@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do you withdraw easily when a trial or difficulty comes? Have you discerned if this little hurting would make your character stronger?

 

Lord, teach us to be malleable as clay that You can shape according to Your will.

 

St. Andrew, Apostle, pray for us.