Blessed are the Flexible

Missionary Beatitude:

Blessed are the flexible for they will not break.

I heard this “flexible” word all the time as a short term team leader from our missions pastor and the missionaries.  I even taught my team members that we had to be flexible, as if I knew what I was talking about!  

Well God is certainly showing me what it really means to be flexible according to Him! 

1. by stripping away all that is familiar and comfortable to me
2. placing me in very uncomfortable situations
3. through a culture that is different than mine and mine to them
4. loving those who may be difficult to love

It is a beautiful thing to be flexible according to God’s strength and sufficiency and not trying to be flexible in my own strength.  Like grass of the field assailed by wind and rain they are not crushed or battered down God has made them uniquely strong, even though they are empty or hollow.  When I am empty of self and allow the Holy Spirit to fill me, I am strong and will not be crushed or battered down by the trials that assail me (aka the need to be flexible). Thank God through the trials, He has a good purpose for them.  Trials prove our faith, strengthen our faith, enlarge our faith and clarify our faith.

sharon