Out of the Shell

February 28, 2025

Chaplain LaVina “Viny” Burns

Farm animals are a lot of fun! Years ago, we lived in a farming community with gorgeous wheat fields surrounding the church and our home. Down the road was an ostrich farm. Our kids were elated at the “field trips” to Ms. Phyllis Gemars’ farm. It was filled with Ostriches! They were beautiful. Shelly, our youngest, was 3 or 4 at the time with her cute little pigtail sticking straight up from her head. Big Mac, the large male ostrich, loved to peck at it. She would be scared and giggle at the same time. Then the baby was born. Our two oldest children had the privilege of naming it. Being the dad ostrich’s’ name was Big Mac, they decided to call this one Little Fry and the Gemars were thrilled.

One trip to the farm was because a couple of the eggs were going to hatch. We rushed over and the 1st egg Jim witnessed was a deformed cracking egg. However, the chick needed help getting out. This was not a good sign. Jim had to remove the egg and finish cracking the egg. The chick died. The legs and body could not live without the strength it would have gained had it kicked out of its’ own shell.

This is somewhat like our lives. Have you ever experienced something in your life, and you feel like you are going to die if you must continue going through the ordeal? Yet, the truth is that the trauma you are going through is more than likely the exact testing you need to create an environment of survival for you! Your struggles will give your body, mind, and spirit the strength for you to stand strong when you “get out” of the havoc and testing you have endured. Then you can stand strong and rest assured that God has and has had everything under control. Remember Isaiah 55:8-9?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa. 55:8-9)

Oh I can think of so many examples in the Bible from Joseph, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Peter, and so many more that literally went through the fire, death threats, lion den, slavery, shipwrecks,… and came out so strong to ensure the Word of the Lord would continue as they served Almighty God.

What are you going through, or have gone through, that allows you to testify to the glory and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Read James 1 and see if you find calming peace in the answer of why you may be going through trials and temptations. It is for your strength and blessing!

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; 3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4) But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Be strong in the Lord and in your life, my friend! Count it all joy (peace) as you know we will endure through Christ! You may have to break out of the shell of your trials on your own and be strengthened! Others will stand in the gap in prayer with and for you!