Vibrance Ministries: A Thousand Blessings

Did you know that there are A THOUSAND BLESSINGS to be found in the trenches?

Have you ever been through a hurricane or a tropical storm? After the storm passes the world is still, the air is crystalline, blues are bluer, greens are greener and the land oozes lushness and verdancy. You can almost smell LIFE in the air.

It stops you in your tracks, you breathe deep into your belly taking it all in, even as you turn your hands to the work of restoration. It was destruction, yet it is life affirmation.

Such are the blessings that are found in the trenches. Life is so much sweeter after you have tasted the bitter.

The impressionists painted their world with the lightest hues, pinks and yellows and delicate blues, yet even they had to reach for the purples, browns and deepest greys. A world without contrast is simply flat and dull. No masterpiece is painted without shadows.

In our Christian walk we feed on the hope of heaven, a place of no more tears, where it never rains and the sun shines always. Yet here on earth, how would life sustain without rain?

Open your eyes and look around, there’s beauty everywhere, But if you do not stop to look, you may not know it’s there. There’s beauty in the sunshine and freshness in the rain, If you take good note of these, they’ll not be there in vain*

These lines are a delicate reminder that there is blessing to be found in every circumstance and in every moment of life. But you have to look for it, if you fail to look you may fail to see and in not seeing, you are missing the blessing.

‘Help me Father to see, the blessings in this moment that are right before me’.

There are blessings of love, compassion and grace, just waiting to be discovered in the most unlikely place. There are ministries to be raised and destinies to unfold. There are songs and poems and stories to be told.

There is empathy, raised through deepest agony. There is passion and purpose in the darkest story. A thousand blessings, our Father has planted the seeds. Blessings to meet every desire and fill every need.

There is blessing of fortitude, courage and strength. Blessing of buoyancy and emotional resilience. There is blessing of hope and blessing of faith, astonishing endurance to meet the toughest race.

When do we find our fortress, if not in the midst of the storm? When do we recognize God as our refuge, a place to feel safe and warm? When do we come to know Him as our hiding place? When do we dig in so deep we begin to see His face?

It is in the battles of life that we come to truly behold the beauty of life.

The beauty of the smallest victory, just a moment filled with such poignancy. The joy of a smile from a dying child, the bravery of a heart that trusts, even when life hurts so much. Powerful teachers are our sorrows and trials. Lessons of life, that break us down to lift us higher.

A tree in hostile soil roots deep and when the storms come it stands, while others fall under the weight of life’s demands.

The blessing of patience, determination and persistent faith. The blessings of quietude, assurance and amazing grace. These are prizes not easily won. Your character when built will not be undone.

When we walk through our trenches we feel like we are accursed. We reach for the best of God, we feel like we are getting His worst. What if? What if the seeds of your greatness are planted in your wilderness?

What if you are a Joseph, sold as a slave, yet destined to save his people in a future day? What if you’re a Moses forced out of the life you knew, humbled in service, forgotten, unsung, until the day God says ‘my child, your time has come’.

What if humility is a blessing. What if isolation is a blessing. What if harsh discipline is a blessing, because of what they are building, in you? What if your trial is God’s way of raising a citadel, built to stand? Nothing you go through is random or unplanned, not one part of it is outside of the Master’s hand.

So count your blessings as you go, trust Him, His faithfulness to show. Rise above the noise, look to the skies, see your life through His eyes.

He needs just a second, a blessing to release. A ray of hope, a moment’s peace. Perhaps it will be a gift you never had before, recognition and gratitude make room for more.

Open your eyes my blessed friend, the number of blessings has no end. A thousand is but a tiny start, just to kindle the fire in your heart. The fire of appreciation and worship and praise. A blessing to sustain you to the end of your days.

A thousand blessings, count them one my one. You may look up and find your fire is gone. While you were counting you victory was won. And so my friend, His will is done.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” - Numbers 6:24-26

Author: Max Patrick @VibranceMinistries

* Poem : Claude McKay (title unknown)

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