CRUSHED IT!

PRACTICE: Reflect briefly upon a time when you felt crushed, what was the outcome?

So much of what we enjoy in life comes from something being crushed and yet not destroyed (it prevails/wins out).

Think about it, grapes (good as they are) must be crushed to make wine, jelly and jam. Olives (tasty to some people) must be crushed to get olive oil (my preferred oil). Lemons must be squeezed for the juice for lemonade and seasoning. Therefore, I contend, that much of life is not experienced when we don’t want to risk some “Its” being crushed. “It” can be success, friendships, fear, boredom, laziness, deep seated insecurities, low self esteem etc. The “Its” can utterly destroy you and me and leave us living a subpar life.

So, just maybe the “Its” serve a purpose in our life – IF, we allow them to be crushed with the awareness that the damage and destruction can bring beautiful outcomes.

I grew up on a farm. My uncle/cousin and neighbors grew sugar cane (good to chew on when peeled). When it was harvested, NOT A PLEASANT JOB, the stalks were crushed to extract the juice (looked horrible). The juice was then heated to a low boil in an open cauldron over fire for hours, stirred constantly and the foam and other pieces of debris were constantly removed (a lot of time-consuming hard work). This lengthy process continued until a desired sweetness and dark caramel color was obtained – pure sugar cane syrup…something good and tasty…It was a beautiful ending for a slow tedious process.

Likewise, the “ITs” in our lives that have grown in us for years sometimes need to be harvested, crushed, distilled down, keeping what can be used (often just the memory of it) to turn us into the beautiful creation that we are intended to be. Like the old fashion art of sugar cane syrup production, it will require hard and constant work, but the results will be a sweet savor to you and those around you. Take the risk of letting some things be crushed in your life. It is rewarding!!!

2 Cor. 4:9

PONDER THIS THOUGHT – What does it mean to you to prevail or overcome?