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SNUBBED OUT
'He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle...' Matthew 12:20
Back in Jesus' day, kids would make musical pipes to play with from reeds growing by the river. They'd hollow them out, bore in holes and make tunes. But just like toys today, over time they get battered, bruised and thrown away. Have you ever felt like that?
Life was once fresh and good, but then hurtful words or your own failure have left you battered and vulnerable. Remember candles on a birthday cake when you were a kid. Fun for a moment, but once blown out, useless and quickly discarded.
Maybe you once felt on fire for God, but then the icy wind of unforgiveness or injustice quickly extinguished that.
What do all these people have in common: A woman trembling before an angry mob threatening to stone her? A house surrounded by people and a paralysed man on a stretcher; his friends not giving up until they get him to Christ? A blind man crying out for his sight and disciples telling him to be quiet?
They are all bruised reeds and smouldering wicks that Jesus refused to give up on. The world thinks it knows what to do with you-break you off and snuff you out! But not Jesus: 'He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope' (TLB). No matter how spent or used you feel, God's still got you!
Come, He will treat you gently and make you whole. He'll never chuck you out with the rubbish or snub you out.
What now? If you can, light a candle. As you watch it flicker, talk to God about the things that have hurt and damaged you. When you feel ready, ask God to heal you.
written by Bob Gass
'He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle...' Matthew 12:20
Back in Jesus' day, kids would make musical pipes to play with from reeds growing by the river. They'd hollow them out, bore in holes and make tunes. But just like toys today, over time they get battered, bruised and thrown away. Have you ever felt like that?
Life was once fresh and good, but then hurtful words or your own failure have left you battered and vulnerable. Remember candles on a birthday cake when you were a kid. Fun for a moment, but once blown out, useless and quickly discarded.
Maybe you once felt on fire for God, but then the icy wind of unforgiveness or injustice quickly extinguished that.
What do all these people have in common: A woman trembling before an angry mob threatening to stone her? A house surrounded by people and a paralysed man on a stretcher; his friends not giving up until they get him to Christ? A blind man crying out for his sight and disciples telling him to be quiet?
They are all bruised reeds and smouldering wicks that Jesus refused to give up on. The world thinks it knows what to do with you-break you off and snuff you out! But not Jesus: 'He does not crush the weak, or quench the smallest hope' (TLB). No matter how spent or used you feel, God's still got you!
Come, He will treat you gently and make you whole. He'll never chuck you out with the rubbish or snub you out.
What now? If you can, light a candle. As you watch it flicker, talk to God about the things that have hurt and damaged you. When you feel ready, ask God to heal you.
written by Bob Gass
