OH, TO BE USED BY GOD!
Most Christians long to be used by The Master in
significant ways, without realizing that there is a high price we must pay to
experience the depths of His presence and power, and to be dispatched
ultimately into our divine purpose and destiny. How could this be when
Jesus Christ died for us? Indeed, Christ did die for us at Calvary,
vicariously absolving our burdensome debt of sin and shame. However, He
never offered an exemption card from personal loss or suffering. Quite
the contrary. He declares, “If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS
DAILY, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
To illustrate this Kingdom principle, let us consider
the LEGEND AND LEGACY OF BAMBOO. Once upon a time, in the heart of an ancient Kingdom, there was a
beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the
garden would walk. Of all the plants in the garden, the most beautiful
and beloved was the gracious and noble Bamboo. Year after year, Bamboo
grew and prospered, fully conscious of his Master’s love and care, but always
modest and gentle within. Oftentimes, when the wind came to revel in the
garden, Bamboo would dance and rejoice, tossing and swaying and leaping and
bowing in complete abandon, which absolutely delighted his Master’s heart.
One day, the Master drew near to contemplate his Bamboo
with eyes of curious expectancy. And
Bamboo, in total adoration, bowed his head to the ground as a loving
salutation.
The Master called out to him, “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use
you this day.”
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight.
The day-of-days had come, the purpose for which he had been made, the
reason he had been growing hour by hour, the moment in which he would realize
his heart’s desire and fulfillment.
He responded immediately, “Master, I’m ready. Use me
as you please.”
“Bamboo,” the Master’s voice spoke gravely, “I will have to
take you and cut you down!”
Great fear and trembling shook Bamboo.
“Cut…me…down? Me who you, Master, have made the most beautiful in all the
Garden? Cut me down? Oh, not that…not that! Use me for your
joy, use me for your glory, oh Master, but please do not cut me down!”
“Beloved Bamboo,” the Master’s voice grew sober and still,
“If I do not cut you down, I cannot use you.”
The garden grew deathly quiet. The wind held his
breath. Bamboo slowly bowed his proud and glorious head and whispered,
“Master, if you cannot use me other than to cut me down, then let it be
so. Do your will and cut.”
“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would also cut your leaves and
branches.”
“Master, kindly spare me. Cut me down and lay my
beauty in the dust; but would you also have to take my leaves and branches?”
“Bamboo, if I do not cut the excess away, I cannot use
you.”
The sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided
fearfully away. Shivering in terrible expectancy, Bamboo whispered:
“Master, cut away.”
“Bamboo, Bamboo, we’re not quite finished yet. I must
also split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use
you.”
Bowing to the ground, Bamboo fully submitted.
“Master, my Master…then cut and split.”
So the wise Master of the garden took Bamboo…and cut him
down…and hacked off his branches…and stripped off his leaves…and split him in
two…and cut out his heart.
And lifting him gently, the Master carried Bamboo to where
there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of dry, unirrigated
fields. Then, placing one end of the broken Bamboo in the cool spring and
the other end into a water channel in the field, the Master gently laid down
his beloved Bamboo. The spring started singing a song of welcome, and the
clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo’s torn body
into waiting and dying fields. Then the rice was planted and the days
went by; the shoots grew and the harvest came.
And on that day, Bamboo, once seeming so glorious in his
stately beauty, was actually far more glorious in his brokenness and in his
humility. For in his first state, he only looked like life abundant; but
in his brokenness, he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.
As we earnestly pray, seeking to be used by the Master, let
us be ever mindful that we must and shall be sown as seeds for the spiritual
harvest of others. Nevertheless, in the end, we bring ultimate glory to
our Creator, along with fulfillment and favor to ourselves. Indeed, our
service and sacrifice are the benediction and blessing of our lives!
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