I recently read through old notes from that men's group and found an item about observations shared by the woodworker. He talked about the ravages suffered by many trees, some twisted in the wind, some discolored or scarred by disease. He then referenced the visible "bark" of our lives … often marred and unattractive.
Beauty resulting from the external forces on a tree is revealed inside, when the tree is opened. It is there we see grain, colors and markings unique to that tree. That beauty is there all along, often made even more so by outside forces.
The same can be said of "invisible" beauty inside of us. Consider how often God uses the challenges of our lives, in our physical man, to cause changes of eternal value inside, in our spiritual man. Be assured, our Creator sees the beauty within each of us.
I am accordingly reminded to look at others through His eyes, rather than drawing conclusions based on the "bark" I see in front of me.
It is also important to recall from Bible study how God often used hardships to prepare His people for what He would call them to in the future. And to recall that there is nothing we can suffer that our Redeemer Jesus did not suffer in His life here on earth.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest Who has ascended into Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16
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