Devotional Nugget — Stretching is preparation

I’ve shared a snippet of this devotional a few times over the years because it fits, every time. This year, it’s shortened and gets right to the point.

Understand, this isn’t for everybody, but for you who feel you’re being pulled, tugged on, and pushed. All around you, it feels as if hell is breaking loose and no amount of praying has halted your storm. You’re being hurt with words and actions for things you haven’t done. You keep being sent into dark places and God hasn’t turned on your nighttime vision so fear is starting to set in. Things are happening, you cannot control and crying seems to be all you have the strength to do.

Well beloved, what you’re experiencing is stretching. Yes, it hurts but stretching has added benefits. According to http://www.health.Harvard.edu, “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way.”

Spiritually, the stretching is essentially similar.

Oh, you thought all of this was for nothing. You thought this was punishment. Nawl boo, God is stretching you in preparation for what’s to come. Yes, it hurts but if you skip the stretching, the muscles and range of motion you’re going to need for the “next” part of your journey may not be strong or readily available to handle it or them.

For some of you, the stretching is going to heal the very things man has declared can’t be. For some, it’s going to restore the functions of the body, finances, faith, marriage, ministry, etc. Here’s what you do … allow the stretching. It’ll all make sense soon.

“Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” Exodus 9:29