Sausage Scenarios

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Some of the challenges we face in life can be compared to making sausage. A plump, grilled bratwurst tastes delicious, but you definitely don’t want to watch the creation process! Just trust that the maker knows what He’s doing as you wait for the end result.

But if you’re anything like me, when I’m faced with difficulties, I often make the mistake of “watching the process” a bit too close. I notice all the ingredients, all the prep work, all the grinding, and the pressing into the casing sleeve…and then the heat of the fire… And I begin to lose heart. Lose focus. Lose hope.

Recently, as my mind lingered long on a particular sausage-making trial, I said a quick prayer of, “O Father…You know what they need, please help.”  Looking down,  my eye caught a worn and stained post-it note taped to my desk with these words, “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  And “Do not grow weary in doing good…”

O, Father! How I needed to be reminded of that Truth! Help me trust You and not give up.

That little post-it note Scripture enabled me to snap back to a Christ-centered, God-is-bigger-than anything-we-face reality. A reality that doesn’t ignore life’s trials but rather, puts them in perspective. The truth is, we all have trials to walk through, but if we stare too long at the “process”, we will lose heart. Lose focus. Lose hope.

What is your sausage scenario? Have you stared long at…

Your pain

Your health

Your loneliness

Your children, or your lack of children

Your spouse, or your lack of a spouse

Your career challenges

Your disappointment

Your list of what if’s

Your loss

Your grief…?

It’s okay. Admit it. But don’t stay there. Look up from your sausage-trial and back to your God. Ask Him to help you refocus, to snap back to a Christ-centered reality rather than staring at your sausage scenario.     He is at work. He is faithful. His Word is true.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”

Corrie ten Boom

Father, Please help me to refocus onto You rather than the impossibility in front of me. Even as I do all I can – praying and serving, enable me to rest and trust You and Your word more than what I see and feel.  Thank you Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus