This Christian encouragement devotional for cutting times is part of our Free Daily Devotionals series.
I have this beautiful black skirt which has been hanging in the back of my closet for a long time. I have never worn it because it is too long. I have always loved the material and liked the design but have never worn it because it was just too long.
The other day I decided to do something about it. I did some measuring then begun cutting. As I was cutting, I received the following revelation about cutting times.
Cutting times are the times when things are just being cut from our lives. Finances are being trimmed. Career advancement cut short. Relationships severed abruptly.
I came to understand that God allows these difficult cutting times to come into our lives so that we can be made useful so as to fulfill the purpose that we were created for. You see the skirt without my trimming was useless. It was just a piece of beautiful cloth filling my closet. But, with the cutting, it became useful and was able to fulfill the purpose for which it was designed which is to be worn.
So take heart even if you don't understand why all the chopping changes are taking place in life. God could be cutting away and removing things from your life so that you can fulfill the purpose that He designed you for.
You see, you have a lot of potential because You are God's masterpiece created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He prepared in advance for you. (Ephesians 2:10) However, before His skillful trimming, you are not very useful as you are just filling your church's pews the way the beautiful but useless skirt was filling my closet.
Therefore, be encouraged by knowing that once this painful process is over, He will heal the hurting jagged edges just as I hemmed my skirt's raw edges. You will them be a perfect fit for that specific purpose He created to fulfill the way my skirt is right now as I am wearing it while I write this blog post and using it for the purpose it was designed.
Oh, this devotional resonates for me because I am a very reluctant hemmer of clothing and especially fear the cutting process. It's so permanent and unfixable, and I've actually ruined a couple of things before by cutting off too much. So . . . it's wonderful to know that the scissors are in the infallible hands of God when it comes to the cutting away of unnecessary (or harmful, but beloved) aspects of my life.
ReplyDeleteHe prunes us to make us more fruitful.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this as it really touched on an issue I've had for a few years now. We never know when our words will be helpful to someone we don't even know. Ties were cut a few years ago by someone I loved dearly and had been in my life forever. Not complete ties, but hurtful ones, but your post is so true. Some of that relationship had led me away from my Christian path, and without it, I am back on that path. Such a great reminder post for why things happen. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePeabea@Peabea Scribles
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2
ReplyDeleteIt's so important to remember that God has a purpose in times like this and that the pruning is for our good.
ReplyDeleteGod help us trust Him while He works! Thanks for this reminder. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeletePruning isn't fun but thanks for reminding us of the good part of it!
ReplyDeletePruning hurts but creates beautiful results. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI love this analogy! Like the pruning of the branches from the vine, so the Master Pruner cuts away all that needs removed. I'll think of this the next time I dive into a sewing project!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good reminder. Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the comparison you used here with the skirt and its need of cutting. When God cuts things in our lives it can sometimes be painful, but in the end His way is best. He is just molding us into the people we were meant to be. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the #LMMLinkup! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this encouragement at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
ReplyDeleteTina