Forming & Shaping for HOPE
Not only this, but we also rejoice confidently in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patient endurance, and patient endurance produces tested character, and tested character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4
I would always recommend the farm life for children. Growing up on a farm builds character that few other life experiences can match. There are joys and triumphs intricately mixed with challenges and catastrophes. And through it all, interwoven into its very fabric, are chores and chores and chores. As a child, I would kick against the goads of the blessed discipline not realizing that God was shaping the future me through endless repetitive tasks.
Chief among my tasks when I was twelve years old was digging a new line of post holes to replace the fence line on the upper edge of the canyon wall. Years of cattle tromping the land had left behind a hard pan soil like dry concrete. Every summer morning, I would drag the hand auger and jugs of water up the canyon to prepare for my morning’s work. The previous day’s soaking of water in the holes would allow me to punch the holes another inch or two. The process was long and arduous. Each morning, I had to patiently try to get an infinitesimal bit farther in digging the three foot deep holes. By the end of the summer, hope blossomed as one by one the holes were complete and the new fence posts were set in place. Some 40 years later the fruit of my patience and perseverance and hope still stands.
So why the long reflection? It is simply a human story that reflects a spiritual truth. God produces character and builds faith through the things we patiently endure in this life. He has never promised us a life of ease as believers. Quite the opposite, He has promised us suffering and a cross. Yet this is not cruelty. This is molding by the hands of the Master Potter. He is shaping us to be able to withstand the temptations of the evil one. He is shaping us to turn not inwardly to ourselves but to Him when we do not have the strength to persevere. As we do, we can patiently endure. And as we endure, our faith, our Christian character is developed and strengthened.
The end product of this molding and forming and shaping is hope. As we see how tragic this world truly is, we see with new eyes how glorious our new lives will be. Through a heart of God-given faith, we trust in HIs promises, promises that will never fail us. This gives hope. And hope is a sure confidence that God will lead us through this life and into a life free from sorrow and illness and fear. Our heavenly Father reminds us daily that if He did not spare His only Son for us, He will surely give us all we need in this life to persevere and to be strong..
Blessings to you as He molds and shapes and forms you through adversity so that you can rest securely in the hope He has given you.
Frank Van Brocklin
Principal Teacher
Coming up in the near future at Immanuel Lutheran School:
❖ On Thursday, February 22, we will have our last basketball game of the season. It will be an away A team game against Our Savior, Wausau, starting at 4:30 PM.
❖ We will be on a late winter break with no school from February 26 through March 1. This will be the last major break for the school year.
❖ Our next ILSA meeting will be on Thursday, March 7 at 6:00 PM.