APRIL 26, Philippians 2:13 

“Take a look at this. This is a diamond! But it is an uncut diamond” said David, the Sunday School teacher, holding up a dull looking stone. The children in his Sunday school class looked surprised as they passed it around. The stone looked a lot like something David might have picked up on a walk through the park. “Most diamonds look dull like this when they come from the mines,” he told them. “Before this diamond will flash and sparkle, it must be cut by a diamond cutter.”

David explained to the children how the diamond cutter has to decide the right place to split away the rough, unimportant parts and leave smooth facets on the stone. David then showed the children a shiny cut diamond and said “See how much better it looks after being cut!” David then said to the children, “Here’s what I want you to remember. God is also doing ‘lapidary work’ on His jewel-Christians. What do you think I mean by that?”

“Does it mean God works in our lives to make us better Christians?” asked Daniel.

David nodded. “Yes. When we’re first saved, we’re something like a rough,uncut gem,”he said.“Then God begins to develop Christian character in us through our day-by-day experiences. Sometimes He uses trouble and tough times to polish us and make us more like Him. But there’s a big difference between the diamond cutter’s cutting and polishing and His. Can you guess what that might be?”

“I think I know,” said Tim after a moment. “God would never make a wrong cut-He never makes a mistake.”

“Good answer!” exclaimed David.  “And another difference is that we’re not lifeless like this diamond is. We have a choice – we can become bitter about what happens and rebel, or we can allow the Lord to shape our lives. Even though the cutting and polishing may hurt, He knows what He’s doing. He knows what’s best for us. And it takes a long time – our whole lives-before He finishes with us.”

Thought: Have you been complaining about your troubles – or have you been letting God use a difficult time to shape you into the kind of Christian He wants you to be?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me bear any difficulties You may allow in my life. I know sometimes You are “cutting and polishing” me so that I will be a better person. Thank You for shaping and moulding me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.