Reaping a Harvest of Adversity

Hi, everyone! While visiting Yellowstone National Park last week, we watched an intriguing video at the Old Faithful Visitor Center that explained how volcanic eruption formed the majestic area that would become the forty-five square mile Yellowstone National Park. This titanic explosion dispersed rocks and minerals all over this valley. In some places this dispersion of much needed nutrients from deep within the earth support the specific growth of different trees and flora while in other areas the absence of these nutrients leaves the landscape as barren as a lunar landscape.

When adversity erupts into your life, it can seem like utter devastation will be the only outcome. Yet, we can both speak from our own personal experience that in a time great upheaval and uncertainty God is working in our lives to refine and grow us. I love C.S. Lewis’s quote about adversity, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Through the tough times God gets our attention and performs a mighty work in our lives (Romans 8:28). And this is not just for our own good. Much as the rocks and minerals strewn throughout Yellowstone have fertilized areas of great growth, the changes in our lives and deepening of our faith enhances and fertilizes our witness to others who watch how we struggle through. This can lead to a huge harvest of grace (defined as a spontaneous, generous, free, totally unexpected, and undeserved gift from God) in our lives. God’s grace in our lives helps advance the Kingdom of God as we reach out to our friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

As your trail becomes steep and rocky, follow the wise advice of hikers who say, “Lean into the hill and keep on climbing.” Paul adds even better encouragement, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

If you are going through a challenging time, we would love to encourage you, cheer you on, or serve as a caring ear when you need to talk to someone. Please call me at (410) 708-9957 or email me at reen.waterman@navigators.org or linda.waterman@navigators.org.