And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)
It was Monday morning and the young pastor was so depressed. He just didn’t know how he was going to lead these people. They didn’t want to be led. He was ready to give up and move to Hermit Mountain. His wife said, “Why don’t you take the day off and visit your mother. She always cheers you up.”
So, the pastor showered, dressed, and went to momma’s house. Momma was so glad to see her boy. But, she was a wise woman and saw that he was troubled on every hand. “Tell momma your troubles, Son.”
The words just gushed out. All his responsibilities, all his obstacles, all the changes demanded, all his irritations, and on and on until he simmered down. With the patience only a mother can have, she sat there listening. “Momma, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I’m tired of fighting and sacrificing. Every time I get one problem solved, three new ones are already steaming down the center aisle. I’m thinking maybe I’m not cutout for this pastoral business.”
“Come on in the kitchen, Son. Let me fix you a cup of coffee.”
“Momma, I don’t need coffee. I need some advice.”
“Well, a cup of coffee won’t hurt, while I think of some advice.”
In her kitchen, Momma filled three pots with water and placed each on the stove. When they began to boil, she put carrots in one, eggs in another, and ground coffee beans in the last one. She sat across the table from her son, silently letting him think she was considering how to advise him.
Finally she turned off the stove. She spooned the carrots into a bowl, placed the eggs on a saucer, and poured the coffee in a cup. “Now, Son, consider the impact of the boiling water on the carrots, eggs, and coffee. They all faced the same adverse pressure. But each one reacted differently. The carrot was strong, hard, and unrelenting. But the pressure of the boiling water, changed the carrot. The egg was so delicate and fragile. But the pressure of the boiling water, changed the egg. The coffee beans, however, were different. They were ground into a fine powder. And after that adversity, they were placed in boiling water. Something marvelous happened in the water. The coffee did not react against the pressure but became the catalyst that changed the water. Drink it now pastor, and tell me, which of the three will you be?”
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Grant to us the humility to yield to your instruments of change. O Lord, grind us into something useful so that we may be catalysts of change in our world. This I pray in Jesus name. AMEN
Let us praise God for Calvary’s sacrifice and let it change us all,