Trekking through the storm, each step is met by a crunchy cushion of albino snow. The foot slides down and the other follows suit as a trail is left to those following behind. The air is cool and blustery. The mitten enclosed hands grip a pole to help steady the excursion. The fight is on.
Man and Spirit constantly tangle. The two are interwoven in a majestic tapestry that produces a work only a Master Craftsman could accomplish. Much like Jeremiah visiting the potter and observing him as he molded, shaped, smashed, and refashioned the clay (18:4 ESV), s does toiling produce a greater work.
Have you ever looked at a candy cane?
The red and white stripes find themselves tangling all the way throughout the delicious treat! But once that treat is being enjoyed, the colors almost begin to blend together. In this way are we woven together with the physical and the spiritual.
At some point in time, I remember watching a person construct a candy cane. The full details escape me at the moment, but the crux of it is there. A craftsman can fashion the swirls with twists and tugs on the dynamic treat. In moments they add more red or white, pull the pliable string and twist away. Then that same person can apply a proper hook and let it set up.
Each twirl and additional coloring changes the balance of the candy causing a shift in 50/50 to maybe 70/30 or something else. In a like manner so are we as man and spirit. The more we feed the one the more dominant it becomes. Is the balance for you 50/50, 70/30, 90/10 or something else?
Each of us are unique and given portions from on high. In Ephesians 4: 7 “…grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (ESV).” So in truth we have our own candy cane to produce. Once we are in the fold of Christ, having been washed in His blood, then it is as if we are cleansed from our past mistakes (Isaiah 1: 16-18 ESV). In time as our life’s journey comes to a moment of transition, we can see the type of candy cane that was made.
God’s grace covers much. What is being fed into your candy cane? Is it more of the person in you or more of the spirit that is in you? You are the fashioner of your own design. God’s gift to you is the life you have been given and your gift to God is what you do with it. Merry Christmas and blessings throughout these holidays!
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. Remember all fall short of the glory of God as Paul indicated in Romans 3: 23. This is why we have the Savior, Jesus, Who had His gifts and Spirit without measure (John 3: 34 ESV). But let’s use the gifts He has given us to build the best treat we can be!
Jeremiah 18:4 ESV And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
Ephesians 4:7 ESV But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Isaiah 1: 16-18 ESV Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Romans 3:23 ESV …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
John 3: 34 ESV For he whom God has sent utters the words of God for he gives the Spirit without measure.
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