When you feel like you are under the weight of the world............

Here is yet another picture from my time with my grandkids!  That week seems like it happened a long time ago, but in reality it was just a bit over a week ago.  As I have been back in my "real" life, I have been digesting and meditating on everything I heard from the Lord during my time away.  And when you add all the stuff I have been doing in the last week or so, well..... it is heavy!   I just loved Anna in the slide while the older kids were on top of the slide.  I was glad that that slide protected Anna from the weight that was just over her head.

Over the last several months I have been hearing a song that has really spoken to me and when I was thinking about this picture, it came to my mind.  It is called Diamonds by Hawk Nelson.  It is worth listening to, just click on the link!  Here are the lyrics....

"Diamonds"

Here and now I'm in the fire, 

In above my head

Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh

Being held under the pressure, 

Don't know what'll be left

Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh

But it's here in the ashes

I'm finding treasure

He's making diamonds, diamonds

Making diamonds out of dust

He is refining in his timing 

He's making diamonds out of us

I'll surrender to the power

Of being crushed by love

Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh

Till the beauty that was hidden

Isn't covered up

Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh

Oh it's not what I hoped for

It's something much better

He's making diamonds, diamonds

Making diamonds out of dust

He is refining in his timing 

He's making diamonds out of us

Oh the joy of the lord

It will be my strength

When the pressure is on

He's making diamonds

Oh the joy of the lord

It will be my strength

When the pressure is on

He's making diamonds

Oh the joy of the lord

It will be my strength

When the pressure is on

He's making, he's making 

He's making diamonds, diamonds

Making us rise up from the dust

He is refining in his timing 

He's making diamonds out of dust

Making diamonds out of us

I won't be afraid to shine

I won't be afraid to shine

I won't be afraid to shine

Cause he's making diamonds out of dust

Making diamonds out of us 

I particularly love the two verses that I have highlighted.  It is the joy of the Lord that carries us during those times of such great pressure.  And if we can only remember that when there is that pressure,  Jesus is refining us.  With His joy we can rise up and shine like those diamonds.  When I looked at the picture of the kids and that tunnel slide, I was thinking about how great it would be if we could see Jesus as that solid tunnel of protection around us.  Then, when the pressures of this world do weigh us down, we can remember exactly what is happening.  He is refining us and it is all in His timing.  The purpose is not to crush us, but rather to clarify and make us so beautiful in His image.  That was his plan and purpose from the very beginning.  He took dust and created Adam in His own image - making something so amazing out of ordinary dust.  What diamonds we are!  All so beautiful.... all with different facets and all of us just sparkle in the light of Jesus!  The very best part of God's amazing incredible plan is that when we are filled with the Spirit and Jesus is the center of our life, it is HIS very light that shines forth from within us.  And when that light shines, everything around is changed.  We don't have to DO anything.  His wonderful light just shines forth.  WOW!  That sure puts a different perspective on the pressures and weights of this world.  

So, when things get heavy and you think you just can't go on, just find the joy of the Lord.  And remind yourself that Jesus is refining and make you into one beautiful diamond! 

Jesus, thank you for this reminder of your great plan and purpose.  Holy Spirit, help us to see the really big picture and to see ourselves as your beautiful creations - diamonds!  Amen