The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other works, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.” 

—Philippians 2:17

If we are to be poured out as a drink offering for the sake of others’ faith, we must first be turned into wine. 

The grapes must be ripe (mature); they must be crushed, and they must lie alone in the dark until they have fermented.

Have we planted ourselves where we can grow into fruitful vines? Like the psalmist in Psalm 1, are we turning away from walking with sinners and from mocking and insulting others? Do we delight ourselves in and meditate on the law of the Lord day and night? If so, we will be planted securely by the streams, rooted where we can grow ripe and mature. But that’s not all.

Then we follow Christ willingly into the winepress to be crushed as he was (Matthew 10:23–25) and to lie dormant in the dark until the appointed time. 

Can we be patient in that time in the dark? Can we be glad and rejoice in whatever sacrifice he asks of us, or do we resist his efforts to crush us?

If we allow ourselves to be crushed willingly, we become something that can be poured out for the sake of his kingdom. Being crushed might be painful and our time in the dark may feel hopeless, but as Christians, we know that God is turning us into something more valuable. 

Even when we feel helpless and alone, we can rest where he has us and take heart that we are becoming what he intends for the sake of his kingdom and the building up of others’ faith.

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