Friday, April 16, 2010

Day 13: Sandpaper - Smoothing The Edges



Smoothing The Edges - Based on One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook

Life Lesson (from journal): "Sandpaper people are part of God's plan for your life. He allows sandpaper people into your life so He can craft you into a sharper tool for His purposes. Paul explains, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). In the Greek, the word for "workmanship" literally means "a work of art or a masterpiece." God is crafting you into the perfect tool to accomplish His amazing plan for you."
Kerry and Chris Shook begins Day 13: There are sandpaper people all over the place. They are in our family and on our jobs. We may even be the sandpaper in our own group that are hard to get along with. Some people just rub us the wrong way. If only they could be more like us, right? However, Jesus put sandpaper people in our life to build our character. Take advantage of criticism.
(Point to Ponder, from journal) What kind of tools has God been using in your life? What types of tasks do you feel those people or situations are serving in His plan for you? (2 Timothy 2:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24; Hebrews 13:20-21)
Chew it up and spit it out. That hammer was put in your life to make you stand up for yourself. They are in your life for a reason and you are in their life for a reason. You can show them love even when they know that they don't deserve it. You may be their only refuge and counselor to turn them around. (Consider Galatians 6:1-5 and Proverbs 26:4-5)

Kerry and Chris Shook: If I forget about trying to change everybody else and simply work on letting God change me, then the people in my life are much more open to me. Examination of yourself must
come before confrontation of others. In John 8:3-11, what do you learn about Jesus' perspective on this principle?
"It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." - Epictetus
Face Time
    God, this is hard to say, but thank You for [fill in the person's name]____________________________. He/she drives me crazy, but I trust You and Your purposes. Please give me patience. Help me accept our differences and, when necessary, to forgive.
     Remind me of the times I've irritated You and others so I will be more humble and accepting of this person. And, yes, even grateful for them.

Have a great day! Leave your feedback or comments to this post if you would like.



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