Thumps

Disruptions in organized traffic flow can crea...Image via Wikipedia

Count it all joy
James 1:2

Max Lucado writes: 'When a potter bakes a pot he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the [furnace] and thumping it. If it 'sings,' it's ready. If it 'thuds,' it's put back in. Character is also checked by thumping...Late night phone calls...grouchy teachers...burnt meals...flat tires...'you've-got-to-be-kidding' deadlines. Thumps trigger the worst in us...They aren't big enough to be a crisis, but if you get enough of them, watch out. Traffic jams...long lines...empty mailboxes...dirty clothes on the floor...Thump. Thump. Thump. How do you respond? Do you sing or do you thud?

Jesus said, 'People speak the things that are in their hearts' (Luke 6:45 NCV), and there's nothing like a good thump to reveal the true nature of a heart...it's not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living. If you've a tendency to 'thud' more than you 'sing,' take heart. There's hope for us 'thudders.' Begin by thanking God ...not a half-hearted thank-you...but a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy, thank-you from the bottom of your heart. James says: 'Count it all joy when you fall into various trials...the testing of your faith produces patience.' God's doing the thumping...for your own good...You're going to be tested...you might as well learn from the thumps. See it as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump helps or hurts you, depending on how you use it. Be aware of 'thump-slumps'...For all of us there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. Handle them head on...bolster yourself with extra prayer... don't give up...and remember no thump is disastrous. All thumps work together for good when you love and obey God.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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Comments

Steve said…
Remarkable analogy, but God is moulding us like pottery to refine us and make us how we are meant to be or how He wants us to be.
Steve said…
Ps I can't quite see what the car traffic jam has got to do with the message!
duopastorale said…
Traffic jams actiully appear as a 'thump' in the text. Finding an image was tricky for this post!
Angie said…
I love a devotion like this that totally changes my perspective and reminds me of the bigger picture. This is great, Mike. Thanks for sharing it.
Pietro Brosio said…
No thump is disastrous when we love and obey God: very true words.
About your question on my previous post, I'm not a mountain biker.
:-)
Barbara said…
My reactions come from whether or not I am living in the good of who Christ is in me or from the temptations of the enemy. I have to say I experience both but do not get condemned about it as I know that we are being changed from one degree of glory to another no matter how long it takes, and trust that I learn from my fleshly reactions. Sometimes do and sometimes don't.
Great post Mike.

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