December 5

Turning Thorns into Roses

This week Kathie and I went to see the movie “The Blind Side.” It is the true story of a homeless teenager from a broken home and his journey through some of life’s greatest challenges. I highly recommend this movie because it shows the cost of disciple making, which is the only hope for the future of our country. I will not reveal the story because I really want you to see it, but let me say with God’s power he can turn any tragedy into a triumph no matter how hopeless the situation.

That is what happened in the Apostle Paul’s life. For the last few chapters Paul has been battling his opponents. Paul speaks of himself in the 3rd person ... almost as if he is speaking of someone else. And then in chapter 12 he tells a story of an event that happened earlier in his life. The date was 14 years ago, so we know this was not his conversion experience. From some detective work we can guess this was the time when he was he was stoned and left for dead in Acts 14:19, 20. In this mystical experience he was translated out of this world of time and space and he was given a glimpse of the other world. The use of the phrase 3rd heaven would be understood as the place where God dwells.... 1st heaven is the blue sky, 2nd heaven are the stars. This revelation was for Paul alone, to strengthen his belief in the reality of heaven and to reassure him during his suffering on earth of the glory that awaited him for remaining faithful to his Lord. I ask you again.... do you believe in two worlds? It makes a huge difference in our lives!!!

Now here is the bad news for Paul. To help him in his battle with potential pride because of this incident, he was given a thorn in the flesh. Some sort of problem so that he would learn to trust in God and not his own flesh.
We are not sure what this thorn was, and this is great because we all can identify with something we struggle with. In the end Paul must come up with a strategy to deal with this problem. Here is his strategy:

1. He faced his pain. He didn't pretend it wasn't there. Don't try to cover up your pain through denial or cheap addictions.
2. He trusted that there was a specific purpose of his suffering. We won't always know specifics but we can still trust God to be working behind the scenes. There is always a purpose in our pain.
3. He prayed about his pain. Jesus prayed three times in the garden. Paul prayed three times. His prayer was not answered in the way he had first wished; nevertheless the answer was received and remained with him as the most powerful inspiration in his life. Prayers of God's people are never unheard, and they are never unheeded. Paul’s answer was that grace would be given to live in victory with the problem, not that he would be exempt from the problem.
4. He chose to rely on God’s grace and not be a victim. He moved from a victim to becoming an agent of God’s grace. It is only through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can change a disadvantage into an advantage. This change from victim to agent requires us choosing to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
This would be a good time to stop and ask God for his grace and power to be poured out on you in the middle of your problems. Then choose to be an agent of his grace to the world around you.

There is an old time hymn written by Annie Flint that speaks of this journey from thorns to roses...
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,When we reach the end of our hoarded resourcesOur Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,Our God ever yearns His resources to share;Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,His power no boundary known unto men;For out of His infinite riches in JesusHe giveth, and giveth, and giveth again
Count on the fact that God will give you enough grace to make it through every trial you will face today.