* On the Inside

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.
2nd Corinthians 4:16 The Message

This verse made me think of soaking the dried lima bean in the wet paper towel in a clear glass jar in elementary school. Did you do that experiment? A hard, dried bean. You couldn't bite one, they were so hard. No soil. You didn't even wrap it up in the wet paper towel; you just stuck it in between the side of the jar and the paper towel. And there it was for all the world to see - on the window sill where it would get the sun's light. Dried bean with skin that starts to shrivel with the wet. Coming to life on the inside, but not able to tell from the outside. At least not right away. Then it's split and the sprout appears along with a whole root system. Almost before you know it, you've got a plant that's ready for good soil in order to produce a harvest.

We can feel that way in life sometimes. Hard, dried up. Stuck in a cold, hard place. However, if we get the washing with water by the Word, and some of the Son's light, it won't be long before we'll be having our own change on the inside. Maybe no one can see it right away, but we're getting rooted and grounded in the Word, and then we begin to grow in His grace. A new life in Christ!

Prayer:

Father,
            Continue to soak the hardness out of our hearts and lives by the washing with water by Your Word. Cause our roots to sink deep and strong in You and produce a harvest of the good things You have planned for us to do. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen