Sheltered in His Wings

Have you ever felt broken? Maybe pressed from everyside? Call me crazy, but the scene in Empire Strikes Back (I think:>) When Princess Laya, Wookie, Han Solo, and R2D2 ( I probably have the cast all wrong as it has been a while, but you have the picture:>) went through some hole only to land in a compartment that the walls were squeezing in on them. It looked like they would be crushed. Have you been there? Are you there now? It’s not an easy place to be. The longer I serve here in Haiti the more God teaches me how to walk thru the fire and not get burned. He gently reminds me to stay sheltered in His wings. I love what kind of picture that brings to mind.  

Yesterday a dear sister of mine had posted something on facebook that today I was reminded of one of my favorite authors Max Lucado. He has written a book titled “On the Anvil”. I had given this book to my dad many years ago in the hopes it would speak to his heart. I recently opened up that same book when I was back in the states. I couldn’t help remembering and rejoicing when my Dad surrendered all to Jesus. He was a new creation. The old had passed away. Who was this man? My Dad with the heart of Jesus…that’s who!! Oh how I miss him, but O what great joy I have knowing I will see him again someday.

It has been very fitting and also an encouragement of sorts that I discovered this story again. A gentle reminder to me and I hope for all who read it that we are all on the anvil. We are being broken, chiseled, pressed, fired on every side so that we bear the image of Christ himself. I see my fellow brothers and sisters walking through so much and me with them, but in the midst of it all…yes I see the Heavenly Blacksmith, Jesus Christ, doing a mighty work in and through us all. God is saying I need you as my  instruments, but before I use you we have some molding to do. Molding you may not like, but it is neccassary. Will you trust me? Child…Will you trust me?

I recall hearing those same words many times in the past 20 years. I recall them loud and clear the day my mom called me to speak my last words to my Dad. I took a deep breath and with courage and confidence I said, “Dad I love you and you can go home now..I will see you again…God is with me and I will be alright.” With that I talked to my Mom and not much later after my sister talked with him my Mom called to tell me he went home. I hung up the phone and fell to my knees. “I trust you Lord. I trust that you will walk with me through this time of grief. I trust you that you will give me strength and comfort. I trust that you will use me in these days to come so that you will be glorified.”  

BE GLORIFIED SWEET JESUS…BE GLORIFIED. I am still on the anvil and there is work to be done. Abba be with my dear brothers and sisters…hold them…comfort them…pour out your peace and love on them…encourage them and Abba prepare them to be used for your purpose and your glory. Help each of us to stay close to you in the shelter of your wings as we continue to be placed on the anvil. In Jesus Name…Amen!!

 

 

“On The Anvil”

Max Lucado

 

With a strong forearm, the apron-clad blacksmith puts his tongs into the fire, grasps the heated metal, and places it on the anvil.  His keen eye examines the glowing piece.  He sees what the tool is now and envisions what he wants it to be – sharper, flatter, wider, longer.  With a clear picture in his mind, he begins to pound.  His left hand still clutching the hot mass with the tongs, the right hand slams the two-pound sledge upon the moldable metal.

On the solid anvil, the smoldering iron is molded.

The smith knows the type of instrument he wants.  He knows the size.  He knows the shape.  He knows the strength.

Wang! Wang!  The hammer slams.  The shop rings with noise, the air fills with smoke and the softened metal responds.

But the response doesn’t come easily.  It doesn’t come without discomfort.  To melt down the old and recast the new is a disrupting process.  Yet the metal remains on the anvil, allowing the toolmaker to remove the scars, repair the cracks, refill the voids, and purge the impurities.

And, with time, a change occurs:  what was dull becomes sharpened; what was crooked becomes straight; what was weak becomes strong; and what was useless becomes valuable.

Then the blacksmith stops.  He ceases his pounding and sets down his hammer.  With a strong left arm, he lifts the tongs until the freshly molded metal is at eye level.  In the still silence he examines the smoking tool.  The incandescent implement is rotated and examined for any mars or cracks.

There are none.

Now the smith enters the final stage of his task.  He plunges the smoldering instrument into a nearby bucket of water.  With a hiss and a rush of smoke, the metal immediately begins to harden.  The heat surrenders to the onslaught of cool water and the pliable, soft mineral becomes an unbending, useful tool.

“… for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6, 7).