PARTNERS WITH CHRIST

Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonder joy of sharing his glory when it id displayed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Let's get this out in the open: Not every trial a Christian goes through is from God. Some are brought on by ourselves. And some are brought on by the world we live in.

But HOW we go through those trials, what we learn from them, how our faith is grown, how we witness to others through them--that's how we partner with Christ.

If God sent the trial, you will learn more about Him as you 'wear His t-shirt and learn while on His team'.

If you bring it on yourself, you will find strength in Him to change, grow, endure or seek out His 'way out'.

If the world brings on your trial, you will need to shine. Like a lighthouse on a dark, stormy night. Like a welcoming candle in a farm cottage window. Like a flashlight breaking the darkness on a wooded path. Like a headlamp beaming forth into the tunnels of a God-less world. Let your little light shine!

Trials can produce in us more, much more, than a good story line in our testimony. They can help us reach others.