Follow Along Advent Readings, Day 7

Today is our final day of discussing A Painted Advent devotional. Thanks so much for joining us. I hope during this final week of Christmas preparations that you are able to steal away for some quiet moments with our Savior.

Today’s painting is all about the molding, shaping, forming, and creating process—God to us.

As I look at this picture, I am reminded that painful times and hard circumstances do more to shape us into who we are than do the easy, joyous times of life.

I know that has certainly been true in my own life. God used the terrible pain of losing a child to develop in me strength and trust. He used a years-long illness in my mother to develop resilience and empathy and sacrificial love.

Lifeline of Hope

In the readings for today, 1 Peter 1:5 jumps out to me. It says, “Who are kept (emphasis mine) by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

This is a lifeline of hope to us when we are in the middle of the God-shaping-us process.

I’m not sure about you, but it’s hard to just look at the painting for today. The first word that popped into my mind when I saw it was pain. God knows that, and so this verse is a comfort. What it says to me is that in the midst, He is keeping us from losing ourselves: our hope, our salvation, our faith. It’s a promise to preserve us through this difficult time so that we emerge stronger and more like Jesus. And that’s what the shaping process is all about.

Jesus Is the Standard

Jesus is the standard of perfection that we are being molded to. The process starts here, now on earth, but it won’t be completed until we get to heaven. While it’s difficult to feel like a piece of clay or wood smack in the middle of a work session by the Creator, remember to hang on to God and look for the blessing. It will be there in the form of a stronger person who more closely resembles the Savior.

What spoke to you today? Share your thoughts below.

Merry Christmas!

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