I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. (Ecc. 3:10)
Shovel in hand, I worked quickly to spread the wet concrete pouring out from a large truck into a wooden form. The new wall was to reinforce a crumbling basement wall. I felt pressure to hurry because I knew that the concrete could dry before it had been formed into the most useful shape to fulfill its purpose: creating enough force and pressure to keep the building from collapse. The burden of responsibility to save the building was also another type of pressure swirling around in my mind. The pressure in my muscles the next day told the story well!
Diamonds are formed by submitting coal to extreme pressure and heat. Water heated to high temperatures in a sealed pressure cooker helps retain more vitamins and minerals in cooking than merely bringing the water to a boil. In the ocean, we understand that pressure and depth have a directly proportional relationship. The deeper the depth, the higher the pressure.
In each of these instances, nature speaks to a certain reality about pressure. Pressure can be used to bring about strength, beauty, substance, and depth. Spiritually, God uses burdens and pressures we face in this life to bring about strength of character in us, beauty of love from us, substance of faith to save us, and a depth of joy and peace that sustains us.
Ask God how the pressures you are facing are shaping you.
Wesley Seminary alumna, Sarah Cochran and her husband pastored for seventeen years, and now both work for an agency rescuing kids from sex trafficking worldwide.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
